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ANB 



PRESENT STATE 



OF THE TOWS 01 



^EWRURYPORT 



* 



BY CALEB CUSHING. 



Hie ar» sunt, hie foei, hie dii penates. 

Cic. pro Domo tn$.- 



i£efolmvi>vort 

PBIOTF.B BT ♦ VT. i LLES". 

For sale at (he Bookstore of C. Whipple, No. 4, State-Street, 
and by the other Booksellers. 

1826 



To 

the Inhabitants of 
HBWBTJR1TPROT, 

these pages 

are respectfully inscribed 
fey their grateful fellow citizen, 

C. CASHING. 



PREFACE. 

THE author of the ensuing account was led to project the compUatiom 
•fit several years a;;o, by perusing, in the Town Records of N. wbury- 
port, many facts and documents, which seemed to possess permanent 
historical value. Other pu-suits distracted him from the work at the 
time ; ami lie is compelled to plead them now, in extenuation of its una- 
voidable imperfections. 

The history of a smgle town must, of necessity; consist chiefl) of loca- 
incidmts, and information of limited range. But however narrow the 
Scope of auch a work, it ought, being wholly domestic in its nature, to 
contain rattlers of interest to our*"lvz& at least, ami the author expects 
nothing more from the result of us labor. — Vnd in reference to this 
point, he wouid repeat the remarks, which he formerly made in an- 
nouncing his design^ 

The causes of the wealth *nd grandeur of nations are always consider- 
ed with curio-si y, botli on account of their intrinsic importance, andiof 
the splemlid scenes, by which they are accompanied. The pom p of w sj 
and triamph, the deeds of distinguished patriots, a thousand diversified ^ 
events, impart dignity and interest to the fate of a rni'htv people. But 
the history of small and subordinate communities is less attractive be 
cause the circumstances, which it c •mme-norates, are not in their nature 
so grand or various, nor s (Capable of t v tk wing admiration. Hence we 
seldom feel so lively a desire to know tlv particular events, which ele- 
vate or depress to a n*, as we do io study the political state of iaiions. 
Nay, we sometimes go farther, and neglect what is near, for the sak e 
of what is remote ; and leave the concerns of the place in which we 
dwel», to inquire into those wirh which we have no c> mexio i ; and are 
more anxious to hear of the happin ss of foreig iers, than to beeonu as. 
attainted with what may promote our own immediate prosperity. 

It is apparent that, in pursuing such a course, we do ourselves injus- 
tice. Towns are nothing hut elements of nations, and whatever affects 
the latter affect* the former in the same degree. B -sides, the prosper. 
OUS situation of all the lesser divisions of a state is ssential to the true 
greatness of the state itself: and therefore, in examining the character 
of towns, wp become insensibly led upwards to that of nations. And the 
Several things, which tend to promote the well-being of petty com muni- 
ties, are the same in nature, although not in extent, with those, which 
give wea'ib to the most opulent empires. Commercial and raanufac* 

* Newbu/yport £ierald ; January 8, 18*!2» 



▼1 

tering industry, and sage laws, are as beneficial to towns as to wholes 
couutries ; and in both, the ravages of war, the force of luxury, corrup- 
tion, and profuseness are alike detrimental. 

It should be considered, likewise, that the prosperity of a town, in 
which we live, is ultimately connected with our happiness and pecuniary- 
advancement. If the expenses of that town are large and its affairs m a 
bad situation, we directly feel the pressure of those circumstances in our 
own persons. And, on the contrary, if its municipal concerns are in a 
good condition, ours will be the advantage of it. Our private interest 
is also deeply concerned in the price of lands, and the profitableness of 
labor, in the place of our abode, because, in proportion as they rise or 
fall, must the value of our own property be exalted or depreciated.— 
And if the industry of our town is flourishing, its population increasing, 
its expenditures few and, light, and the demand for land or buildings con- 
stant, we ourselves are instantly and permanently benefited. 

And certainly if there waa nothing curious in the facts themselves, 
and nothing which affected our personal interest, we should nevertheless 
hsve a desire to know the situation of the place in which we were born, 
or have been edueattd, or live. We must experience a pleasure in find- 
ing it prosper, and pain in perceiving it decline. We must feel w at- 
tachment to what is more emphatically our native land. Whatever 
interest we may take in a country for the reason that it is our countryi 
ought to work with greater strength, in attaching us to the home, where 
we have enjoyed the pleasures of domestic life and of social endearment* 
Besides, in many countries, and no where more remarkably than 
here, the history of towns is a very important part of the history of the 
ration, By towns, in their corporate capacity, were many of the most 
heroic resolutions adopted, and many of the most daring enterprises un- 
dertaken, which signalized our revolutionary struggle. These things 
•an best be preserved from oblivion by the humble efforts of individuals 
in the different towns, ^b/> will and can bestow their attention upon sub- 
jects so simple and unpretending. 

Such are the considerations, which have induced to this publication. 

In issuing it from the press, the author would thus publicly declare his 

obligations, ami offer his sincere thanks, to many persons, who have 

kindly furnished him with various facts, and without whose aid he could 

aot have accomplished his purpose. 

Most of the statements in the work are copied from manuscript re- 
cords of the town, of the several parishes, and of various corporations 
and societies. Many things were obtained from verbal information, for 
which no written or printed document co .Id be cited. And <he reader 
will understand that, where no public authority for any fact is adduced, 
h was derived etiher from manuscripts, or from communication with 
%dividualg» 



TH 



The author cannot flatter himself that he has given a complete a*« 
•ouut of the town, its business, or its associations. Some of these, stick 
as the fire-clubs and engine societies, he found it necessary to omit en- 
irely ; and others he is conscious may be imperfectly described. But 
the nature of the subject, requiring the collection of so many and such 
various scattered particulars, will, if is hoped, be received in part for 
his apoiog) , should any essential omissions be discovered. 

During the progress of the work through the press, the author has 
been gralifiedlo learn that persons in other parts of the county have 
turned their attention to the subject of town-histories, and that materials 
are fast cotn-clmg for a compete history of the nncimt and respectable 
c ounty of Essex. The Essex Historical Society is capable of accom- 
plishing much good in reference to such an object. 

With these prefatory observations, he submits to his fellow-«itizensa 
plain, unadorned narration of the fortunes of their town : — for which he 
has adopted the most economical form of publication, in order to place 
it uri thin the reach of all, who take interest in the subject. 

JNewburypqrt. September 15, 1826. 



▼Ill 



CONTENTS. 

Civil History, ----._ 1 

Topography, ,. , - 32 

Benevolent Associations, - 39 

Religious Societies, - 44 

Masonic Bodies, - _ 60 

Education, --..„. 62 

Literary Associations, - 69 

Militia, ------- 72 

Statistic*, 75 

Distinguished Inhabitants, - 95 

Concluding Remarks, - 103 



* 



HISTORICAL SKETCH. 



a HE town of Newburyport is distinguished 
for the beauty of its appearance, and the regular- 
ity with which it is laid out, on the gentle slope of the. 
banks of the Merrimac. Commanding a great extent 
of fertile country by means of that river, it rapidly 
grew up into wealth and rank in the flourishing peri- 
od of our commercial prosperity, no less remarkable 
for the pious and industrious habits of its citizens, than 
for its healthful and commodious situation. Although. 
Its harbor was seriously injured by the sand-bar at the 
mouth of the river, yet the spirit and enterprise of its 
merchants seemed to compensate for this evil, so that 
its wharves were crowded with shipping-, and its store- 
houses filled with the merchandise of every quarter of 
the world. The numerous forests of timber, through 
which the river flowed, made ship-building a never 
failing source of riches to the town, and a profitable art 
for its inhabitants to exercise. 

As a sea-port, every thing connected with navigation, 
and all the numberless employments which commerce 
creates, were carried to great perfection in it, and tend- 
ed to give it increasing importance. But there was 
one species of trade, for which the town was especially 
fitted, namely, intercourse with the French West India 
Islands. This intercourse was constant and profitable, 
and not only furnished a market for the produce of the 
country, but opened several other kinds of business, 
such as that of distilling rum, and of a carrying trade 
for English manufactures. 

All these circumstances so much enlarged the popu^ 
lation of the place where the town is now situated, that, 
in the year 1764, it was separated from Newbury, of 
which it then formed a part, and incorporated by the 
name of New^euhyfoiit. In the troublesome period 



which ensued, the people of the town signalized their 
patriotism and love of independence by consenting to 
the non-importation agreement, declaring their abhor- 
rence of the stamp-act, and other arbitrary measures 
of the ministry, preparing the means of defence and 
warfare, resolving to support the declaration of inde- 
pendence with their lives and fortunes, and nobly keep- 
ing this resolution inviolate. Few parts of the coun- 
try voluntarily sacrificed more in proportion for the 
, sake of freedom than did Newburyport, in submitting 
lo have its staple business of ship-building broken up, 
incurring large debts for the defence of the harbor, 
weakening its population for the supply of the conti- 
nental armies, and undergoing many other privations 
and embarrassments attendant on a state of protracted 
warfare. The citizens gained a little, and but a little, 
by privateering: and to other respects, the town stood 
almost still during the war and until the peace restor- 
ed its commercial advantages. 

The records of the town contain many documents, 
which throw light on the sentiments and exertions of 
its inhabitants during the eventful period ol the Revo- 
lution. The existence of Newburyport, as a distinct 
corporation, was but just commenced, when the disputes 
between the metropolis and her colonies had reached 
such a height, as to threaten a speedy issue in open 
violence ; and although the colonists might not, in 1764, 
have anticipated that they should be independent be- 
fore the expiration of ten short years, yet observing 
and discerning men must have perceived that this e- 
vent was every day-becoming more and more proba- 
ble, because both England and America were assuming 
.too high a ground to admit of a peaceful continuance 
of their eld relations. 

Amen? the oldest papers preserved in the town 
records is a copy of the instructions given to Dudley 
Atkyns, ancestor of one of the most respected families 
in Newbury, and the representative of Newburyport 
in the General Court of the Province. These instruc- 
tions, which were voted at a town-meeting holden Oc- 
tober 21st 1765, plainly show the state of public feel- 
ing at the time, and fcow early the spirit of resistance 



-ivris fostered in the bosom of every little municipal cor- 
poration. A few weeks before, on occasion of the pas- 
sing of the ever memorable stamp-act, it had been vot- 
ed— • 

"That" the late act of parliament called the stamp- 
act is very grievous; and that this town, as much as in 
them lies, will endeavor the repeal of the same in all 
lawful ways : 

"That it is the desire of the town that no man in it 
will accept of trie office of distributing the stampt pa- 
pers, as he regards the displeasure of the town; and 
that they will deem the person accepting of such office 
an enemy of his country.'" 

The instructions above alluded to fully explain the 
design of these votes, and the views by which the in- 
habitants were actuated. After adverting to the right 
of the people to instruct their representatives, and re- 
marking upon the liberality of the English constitution, 
the instructions proceed : 

'■•We have the most loyal sentiments of our gracious 
lung, and his illustrious family; we have the highest 
reverence and esteem for that most august body, the 
Parliament of Great Britain ; and we have an ardent 
affection for our brethren at home ; we have always 
regarded their interests as our own, and esteemed out 
own prosper ity as necessarily united with theirs. 
Hence it is that we have the greatest concern at s< 
measures adopted by the late ministry, and some late 
acts of parliament, which we apprehend in their ten- 
dency "iil deprive us of some of onr essential and high- 
prized liberties. The stamp-act, in a peculiar manner, 
we esteem a grievance, as by it we are subjected to a 
heavy tax, to which are annexed very severe penal- 
ties ; and the recovery of forfeitures, incurred by the 
breach of it, is in a manner, which the English consti- 
tution abhors, that is, without a trial by jury, and in a 
court of admiralty. That a people should be taxed at 
the will of another, whether of one mao or many, with- 
out their own consent, in person or by representative, 
is rank slavery 

* * * # * # * 

" J That these measures are contrarv to the constitu- 



tiona] right of Briton?; cannot be denied ; and that the 
British inhabitants of America are not in every respect 
entitled to the privileges of Britons, even the patrons 
ef ihe most arbitrary measures have never yet advanced. 
a We have been full and explicit on this head, as it 
tfeems to be the fundamental point in debate; but was 
the tax in itself ever so constitutional, we cannot think 
but at this time it would be very grievous and burden- 
some. 

" The embarrassments on our trade are great, and the 
scarcity of cash arising therefrom is such, that by the 
execution of the stamp-act, we should be drained in a 
very little time of that medium: the consequence of 
which is, that our commerce must stagnate, and our 
laborers starve. 

4; These, sir, are our sentiments on this occasion; 
nor can we think Viat the distresses we have painted 

are the creatures of our own imagination. 

* * # * * * 

w We therefore the freeholders and other inhabitants 
oi this town, being legally assembled, take this oppor- 
tunity to declare our just expectations from you, which 
are, 

" That you will, to the utmost of your ability, use 
your influence in the General Assembly that the rights 
and privileges of this Province may be preserved invi- 
olate ; and that the sacred deposit, we have received 
from our ancestors, may be. handed 4! own, without in- 
fringement, to our posterity of the latest generations: 

u That you endeavor that all measures, consistent 
with our loyalty to the best of kings, may be taken to 
prevent the execution of the above grievous innova- 
tions; and that the repeal of the stamp-act may be ob- 
tained by a most dutiful, and at the same time most 
spirited, remonstrance against it. 

u That you do not consent to any new or unprece- 
dented grants, but endeavor that the greatest frugality 
and economy may take place ia the distribution of the 
public monies, remembering the great expense the 
war has involved us in, and thcdebt incurred thereby, 
which remains undischarged. 

"That you will consult and promote such measures^ 



S3 may be necessary, in this difficult time, to prevent 
the course of justice from being stayed, and the com- 
merce ofthe Province standing still : 

" That if occasion shall offer, you bear testimony in 
behalf of this town against all seditions and mobhish in- 
surrections, and express our abhorrence of all breach- 
es ofthe peace ; and that you will readily concur in 
any constitutional measures, that may be necessary to 
secure the public tranquillity." 

It appears that the town participated as a corpora- 
tion in the universal rejoicings which followed the re- 
peal of the stamp act. And although the confidence of 
the country in the metropolis could not be fully restor- 
ed ; yet the following document shows that it was not 
quite extinguished. It is in answer to a circular from 
Boston, proposing a non-importation agreement, — which 
seemed to the town a little premature. The paper is 
from the pen of John Lowell, and was adopted at a meet- 
ing hblden March 10th, 1768. 

44 The committee, &c. beg leave to report, that they 
arc of opinion that the subjects therein contained de- 
serve the most serious attention of this town in partic- - 
ular, as well as ofthe public in general. 

" This town has been in a great measure supported for 
many years past by the building of ships, which have 
been purchased mostly by the inhabitants, and for the 
use of Great Britain. The manner in which we have 
been paid for our ships has been mainly by British man- 
ufactures. So that the importation and purchase of 
these, and our staple business, if we may so express it 
have been almost inseparably united. 

" It is with the greatest difficulty, that a number of 
people, who have for the most part of their lives been 
used to a particular employment, can suddenly strike 
into a new channel, and carry on a business to which 
they have always been strangers. 

" Hence, though we highly respect the town of Bos- 
ton for its zealous attachment to the liberties of the 
country, and are ready to assist them in all measures to 
which prudence may direct, we cannot think it can con- 
sist with the prudence and policy of this town to join in 
*heir particular resolutions respecting- the importation 
A 2 



and purchase of the enumerated articles of British man- 
ufacture. 

"And not only from this principle, but from one less 
selfish, we cannot wish that the frequent and mutual in- 
tercourse which has hitherto subsisted between Great 
Britain and us should abate. Tis but of late date that 
we regarded Great Britain with all the respectful af- 
fection of a child to its parent; and though, by some 
late measures, which we conceive to be highly mis- 
judged, there seems to have arisen a cloud, which ob- 
scures the true interests of the nation from the eyes of 
those at helm, we cannot but expect, as well as impa- 
tiently desire, that it will be soon removed, and a mu- 
tual confidence be established on the firmest foundation. 

" In the mean time, as jealousy, in a constitution like 
the British, is the great preserving principle, we think 
it necessary to be watchful against any encroachments 
on our rights as Englishmen or freemen, and to be uni- 
formly and resolutely determined that these shall not be 
infringed, while our fortunes, or even our lives, con- 
tinue."" 

Happily for us the British ministry persisted in their 
inlatuatedcourse of impolicy and inju-tice,in consequence 
whereof, in the autumn of the same year (1768) the 
merchants in the Province entered into the famous non- 
importation agreement, by which they becanae mutually 
bound not to import, nor to purchase if imported, any 
British goods before January, 1776, or until the reve- 
nue laws were repealed by Parliament. At a meeting 
September 4th, 1769, the town approved of this agree- 
ment, voted to further and maintain the same, and to 
consider any person who should evade it an enemy of 
his country, and chose a committee to carry it into ex- 
ecution. At another meeting in the same month it was 
voted to return thanks to the merchants and others of 
Boston for their patriotic and noble spirit in their a- 
<*reement respecting the non-importation of goods from 
Great Britain. The next March also it was voted by 
the town not to buy or use any foreign tea. And in the A- 
pril following (Apl. 3, 1770,) a town-meeting was called, 
in consequence of some suspicion that a wagon-load of tea 
had been brought into town ? when the vote of March was 



repeated and a committee of ten was appointed to watch 
over its enforcement. At the same meeting, a series 
of resolutions were passed, which stated that this com* 
mittee was chosen for the reason assigned ; and that un- 
less the traders, violating the agreement^ should deliver 
up their goods to be kept until the agreement was an- 
nulled, and promise to abide by it in future, the com- 
mittee were to publish their names as " enemies of 
their country," and lay the whole before the town. 
The merchants had agreed to permit goods to be taken 
in exchange for ships ; but as it was feared that this 
privilege had been abusively made a cover for other 
transactions, the committee was instructed to prevent 
such abuses, and to treat the guilty as importers. And 
as the town thought it necessary to refrain entirely from 
the use of foreign teas, the committee was directed to 
prepare a paper for those to sign, who consented to re- 
frain, and to lay before the town the names of the re- 
cusants, as well as those who entered into but violated 
the agreement. 

At a town meeting, January 1st, 1773, it was 
" Voted, that capt. Jonathan Greenleaf, cur represen- 
tative, be acquainted that it is the desire and expecta- 
tion of this town, that he will persevere with steadiness 
and resolution in conjunction with his brethren in the 
honorable House of Representatives, to use his utmost 
endeavors to procure a full and complete redress of all 
our public grievances - t and to do every thing in his 
power in order that the present and succeeding gener- 
ations may have the full enjoyment of those privileges 
and advantages, which naturally and necessarily result 
from our glorious constitution. This we esteem a mat- 
ter of the highest concernment, and we recommend it 
to him, to join with his brethren in the honorable House, 
at the approaching session, if they shall think it proper, 
to lay before lord Dartmouth, one of his majesty's 
secretaries of state, in a decent, respectful address, a 
full state of of our public grievances, and to intreat 
his lordship's favor and influence in behalf of an injured 
and oppressed people." — 

In the course of this year, it appears that the corres- 
pondence of the several towns began to grow more 



9 

send more closa, as the impending danger increased'; and 
meetings were holden repeatedly for the purpose of 
confirming and strengthening the strict union, which ail 
now saw to be necessary. The following letter to the 
Boston Committee of Correspondence, adopted at a town 
meeting held December 20th, 1775, speaks in the tone 
of boldness and defiance, which was speedily followed 
by an appeal to arms. 

" It is with astonishment that wa reflect on the unre- 
mitted efforts of the British ministry and Parliament to 
fasten infamy and ruin upon these Colonies. They not 
only claim a right to control and tax us at their pleasure, 
but are practising every species of fraud, as well as vi- 
olence, their deluded minds can suppose feasible, to 
support and establish this absurd and injurious claim. A 
fresh instance we have in the- plan lately adopted for 
supplying the Colonies with tea. If the money thus un- 
constitutionally taken from us, was to be expended for 
our real benefit and advantage;, still it would be griev- 
ous ; as the method of obtaining it is of a dangerous na- 
ture and fatal tendency. But we lose all patience when 
we consider that the industrious Americans are to be 
stript oi their honest earnings to gratify the humors of 
lawless and ambitious men, and to support in idleness 
and luxury a parcel of worthless parasites, their crea- 
tures and tools, who are swarming thick upon us, and 
are already become a notorious burden to the commu- 
nity. We are sorry that any, who call themselves A- 
mericans, are hardy enough to justify such unrighteous 
proceedings; they surely deserve the utmost contempt 
and indignation of all honest men throughout the world : 
for our part, we shall endeavor to treat them according 
to their desert--. By the public prints we are favored 
with the sentiments of several respectable towns m the 
Province, expressed in a number of manly ? sensible, and 
spirited resolves, with respect to the evils immediate^- 
Ty before us. We are under great obligations to our 
worthy friends and brethren, who have nobly stood 
forth, in this important cause : we assure them, thatj 
should they need our assistance on any emergency, wa 
determine most readily to exert cur utmost abilities in 
every manly and laudable way our wisdom may dictate 



for the salvation of our country, even at the hazard of 
our lives ; and trusting through the favor of a kind 
providence we shall be able to frustrate all the designs 
of our enemies. 1 ' 

When Ihe Provincial Congress assembled at Phila- 
delphia in ! 774, the town made the following repre- 
sentation of its circumstances and wishes, It was voted 

" That this tovvncontiding entirely in the wisdom and 
firmness of the general Congress of deputies from the 
several Colonies in America, which is to meet in Sept. 
next at Philadelphia, is determined and now resolves to 
abide by, and to the utmost of their power fully comply 
with, the final determination of said Congress, let the 
sacrifice be ever so great. 

» That although this town, by their vote the afore- 
said day, is willing to stop all trade for the sake of ob- 
taining more speedy and effectual relief, notwithstand- 
ing, as it may seem more expedient to the Congress, 
that some trades and branches of commerce may be en- 
tirely stopped, and others permitted ; or that certain ex- 
ceptions or non-importation agreements may be made, 
which all the provinces should equally or proportion- 
ally partake of; unless an immediate prejudice to the 
common cause is the consequence, this town would de- 
she the favor of the delegates chosen by this Province 
to attend the Congress; that our trade and commerce 
mav be preserved in the same state and with the same 
indigencies as that of the other provinces. And the 
town would beg leave to acquaint them, that the 
chief branches of its business are importations from 
Great-Britain, a large trade to the French West -In- 
dia Islands ; distilleries,, which are numerous ; and ship- 
building ; and it" any exceptions are made in the im- 
portations into this Province, or any particular towns 
thereof, that this town may have the same indigencies.''* 

But however anxious the inhabitants of the town 
might be to preserve their commerce from complete an- 
nihilation, it is manifest that their love of liberty was the 
paramount motive, which influenced their actions. The 
following instructions, given to Jonathan Greenleaf, the 
representative of the town in the General Court of 
1774, exhibit a spirit which cannot be mistaken 



10 

ft The town of Newburyport have again chosen yotf 
for their representative id the General Assembly, and 
though they apprehend your opportunity of acting in 
that capacity may be very short, they do however re- 
pose in you an important trust. 

"Since the dissolution of the late'Genera! Assembly* 
great and surprising innovations have been attempted 
to be made in the constitution of this Province. The 
bills, that have passed the British Parliament, for their 
better regulating, as they absurdly express it, the civil 
government, and for the impartial administration of 
justice among us, are of such a nature as to alarm, not 
only the inhabitants of this Province, but all the British' 
American Colonies. We should come short of our duty, 
if on this occasion we failed to express our utter abhor- 
rence at the principles, on which those bills have been 
constructed, as- well as the tenor of them, and -the mode 
in which they are attempted to be carried into execu- 
tion. If the Parliament of Great Britain have a right- 
ful authority to make these statutes, it i^ evident that 
we hold our estates, our liberties, and even our lives at' 
their arbitrary will and pleasure ; than which nothing 
can be more absurd and chimerical. These bills, which 
are designed to annihilate our constitution established' 
by charter, and to deprive us of those privileges, which 
are founded on the still higher principles of natural 
right and justice, have been passed, without our having 
so much as- a hearing on this occasion, by persons direct- 
ly interested in the execution of them^ as they are man- 
ifestly calculated to increase their power and authority, 
and proportionably to lessen our weight and importance: 
and should they proceed on this plan, and we be so in- 
fatuated as to acquiesce, they will exalt themselves to 
absolute tyrants^ and reduce us to a state of the most 
ignominious and abject slaver}'. The pernicious nature- 
and tendency of these acts must be obvious to all, who 
consider the enormous powers they are designed to v 
lodge in the hands of the governor: most of our civiP' 
officers are to be entirely dependant on his will, both 
for their appointment and continuance in office. This 
circumstance, considering the manner in which our ju- 
ries are to be appointed, leaves the subject no assutauc; 



1.1 

that he shall have a fair and impartial determmaten in 
every cause relating 1 to life, liberty or property, unless 
it happens to consist with the views and inclination of 
the governor : which is surely a most hazardous situa- 
tion, especially as the governor no.w depends entirely 
on the crown tor his appointment and support, and must 
therefore be ever ready to execute the purposes of the 
ministry. And in these unhappy circumstances we may 
not, it these acts are of sufficient authority to prevent 
it, assemble together, even in the most quiet and or- 
derly manner, to devise means to procure a redress of 
our grievances ; and, if we should, our so doing, it seems, 
is to be deemed seditious, and perhaps treasonable. 
The methods taken by the promoters of these bills to 
ejnforce them shew that they were themselves so sensi- 
ble of the odious nature of them, as that they were not 
trusted to their own authority, or to a conviction of 
their being just and right, for the execution of. them ; 
but armed ships and armed men are the arguments to 
compel our obedience ; and the more than implicit lan- 
guage, that these utter, is, that we must submit or die. 
But God grant that neither of these may be our unhap- 
py fate. We design not madly to brave our own de- 
struction, and we do not thirst for the blood of others ; 
byt reason and religion demand of us that we guard our 
invaluable rights at the risque of both. 

cl We would, therefore, now direct and instruct you 
to do nothing that shall in the least degree imply a 
submission to these acts; that you do in no way what- 
ever acknowledge the authority of those persons, who 
are cruelly and perfidiously assisting to destroy their 
country,by assuming the character of counsellors of tins 
province,. not being appointed thereto but in an arbi- 
trary and unconstitutional manner. 

" We doubt not your brethren will conduct with re- 
gard to this and every other matter, with a!) becoming 
resolution and integrity : and we have as little doubt, 
that this wiil procure the dissolution of the House; and 
.if it should, we hereby authorize you to represent this 
town in a convention to be formed of the members 
thereof, or any congress of deputies appointed by the 
.several towns in this Province ; therein to deliberate 



12 

and devise such measures, as may conduce to relieve 
-us under our present difficulties and embarrassments, 
and to secure and establish our just rights and privile- 
ges on the most solid and permanent foundation. " 

About this time it was that the affairs of the town 
-were committed to the safeguard of a Committee of 
Safety, — a name which ought to be ever dear to the 
freemen of New England. The records of the town 
for the two ensuing years abound with the doings of this 
Committee, and with the preparations of arms and am- 
munition for an obstinate contest. At length in May 5 
1778 occurs the memorable vote 

"That if the honorable Congress should, for the safe- 
ty of the United Colonies, declare them independent of 
the kingdom of Great-Britain, this town will, with their 
lives and fortunes, support them in the measure." 

During the continuance of the war, the records bear 
witness to the exertions of the town to comply with the 
public requisition in the supply of money, arms, ammu- 
nition and soldiers for the defence of the country an'd 
the vindication of its liberties. Some of these votes 
may serve as instructive memorials to us, of the exer- 
tions of our fathers to procure the privileges which we 
enjoy. 

" Voted to give twenty pounds bounty for any one 
who shall enlist in the continental army for three years 
or during the war." 

u Voted to further the raising of one sixth part of 
the able bodied men in the town, pursuant to a resolve 
of the General Court, to join the army instantly, and 
serve till Nov. next ; voted, to give each man 11. 10s. 
per month in addition to the state and continental wa- 
ges 5 voted to advance 50 dollars to each man enlisting^ 
and voted to remonstrate with the General Court on 
the hardship of raising a sixth." 

4t Voted to give nine pounds per month including 
state and continental wages, and six pounds per month 
advance, to any who will enlist as a guard to Burgoyne's 
troops." 

" Voted, to raise money to hire seventeen men to 
serve in the continental army nine months ; — also, to 
raise money to hire thirteen men to serve at Hudson'.* 
river eight months." 



o 

« Voted, to raise nineteen men to serve at Providence, 
and eleven as guards at Prospect Kill. 5 ' 

" Voted to give 100 shillings per month to each man 
who shall enlist wilhin twenty-four hours, 50 shilling!? 
nt enlistment; also to provide a wagon to transport the 
soldiers' baggage to Tiverton/ 5 

w Voted, to give 300/. per month in addition to regu- 
lar pay, and 450L advance, to each one enlisting to 
serve for the town three months ; that a subscrip- 
tion paper he carried around to raise money ; that 
the town be taxed seventy-five thousand £. to be 
paid before the 1st September next; that the inhabitant* 
he earnestly requested to aid the town upon this emer- 
gency by paying their proportion in advance, &c. and 
all the money so raised go to procure, equip, &c. the 
tow.n's proportion of the militia required by the resolve 
of Genera! Court dated June. 8th, 1780.*' 

A committee was chosen to devise a plan for raising 
this town's quota ol troops, to serve l three years 1 or 
c during the war.' And a committee was chosen to 
procure enlistments, and c pay them such a bounty as 
they shall think reasonable.' And as an encouragement 
to enlist, the town engaged to pay their wages, if <• the 
public' did not, in silver at Gs 8ci per ounce, or in Li 'Is 
of credit equivalent thereto according to the current 
rate ot exchange among merchants. It was voted, also, 
to raise at thousand pounds silver for that purpose, and 
afterwards another thousand; and that two thousand 
pounds silver or gold be hired by the treasurer. 

The selectmen were ordered to write to Oliver Phelps, 
esq. representing that it was impracticable for the town 
to furnish its quota of beef for the army, and oflering to 
pay a sum of money in lieu thereof. It was voted, that 
the town be arranged by the assessors l into 43 classes, 
according to property and numbers,'' and that each 
class ' procure a man' upon 'notice, or be liable to a 
draft from the commanding officer;' and that each class 
advance immediately money enough to hire its quota 
of men to serve in the continental army according to a 
resolve of General Court. 

Indeed it i- only necessary to examine slightly the 
totvn lecordo of the New England towns to find iu~rode au- 



- 14 

thority for Mr. Webster's appropriate panegyric oa 
their patriotism. 

<■' My heart beat*, I trust, as responsive as any one's 
to a soldier's claim for honor and renown. It has ever 
been my opinion, however, that while celebrating the 
military achievements of our countrymen in the revolu- 
tionary contest, we have not always done equal justice 
to the merits and the sufferings of those who sustained, 
on their properly* or on their means of subsistence, 
the great burden of the war. Any one, who has 
had occasion to be acquainted with the records of 'the 
New England towns, knows well how to estimate those 
merits and those sufferings. Nobler records of patriot- 
ism exist no where. No where can there be found 
higher proofs of a spirit, that was ready to hazard alJ, 
to pledge all, to sacrifice all, in the cause of the coun- 
try. Instances were not uufrequent, in which small 
freeholders parted with their last hoof, and the last 
measure of corn from their granaries, to supply provi- 
sion for the troops, and hire service for the ranks. The 
voice of Otis and of Adams in Faneuil Hall found its 
full and true echo in the little councils of the interior 
towns; and if within the continental Congress, patriot- 
ism shone more conspicuously, it did not there exist 
more truly, nor burn more fervently; it did not render 
the day more anxious or the night more sleepless: it 
sent up no more ardent prayer to , God for succor; and 
it put forth in no greater degree the fullness of its ef- 
fort and the energy of its whole soul and spirit in the 
common cause, than it did in the small assemblies of the 
towns." — 

The following memorial adopted at a meeting in May, 
1785, affords further illustration of these remarks. 

'» To the hcaorable, &c. of Massachusetts in Gen- 
eral Court assembled, the petition of the town of New- 
bury port humbly shews, 

"That in the years 1775 and 1776 the said town, |n 
order to guard and defend .themselves and the neighbor- 
ing towns from the apprehended invasions and attacks 
cf the enemy then infesting the sea-coasts, and making 
depredations on the maritime town* of the State, pre- 

"Debates i:i Muss, Conv, p. 2i». 



15 ' 

puted and sunk a number of piers in (he channel of 
Merrimac river, near the mouth thereof; they have 
also built a fort on the Salisbury side of said river an'i a- 
nolher fort on Plum Island near the entrance of the 
harbor; (hey constructed a floating- battery, built a 
barge, and made a number ofgun carriage? ; — the whole 
expense whereof amounted to the sum of two thousand 
four hundred and thirty-three pound?, 8 shillings and 
2 1-2 pence, as by the accounts, supported by proper 
vouchers, and ready to be herewith exhibited, will 
appear. 

" That said works were probably the means of pre- 
venting the enemy from entering 1 the harbor, and spread- 
ing destruction through this part of the State; and at 
the same time rendered it a sale asyltim for vessels be- 
longing to Boston then in the power of the engmy, and 
for those belonging to Marhlehead, Cape Ann, and oth- 
er exposed maritime towns. And of this opinion, it 
seems, was the respectable committee sent from the 
General Court to take a view of our situation and har- 
bor; as well as of the works aforesaid; for «pon their 
report the General Court manifested their approbation 
of the said works, -as* prudent, and necessary for the 
public safety, and made provision for supplying \ha said 
Fort on Plum Island, with guns, ammunition, and stores, 
and maintaining a garrison there for a considerable 
time. The town, being thus favored with the counte- 
nance and approbation of the General Court in these 
proceedings, fully depended that their expenses above 
mentioned would be seasonably reimbursed. They ac- 
cordingly exhibited their accounts, which were never 
objected to, as unreasonable or improper, as your peti- 
tioners have understood. Nevertheless, a number of 
accidents, which, to avoid being tedious, they forbear 
to particularize, have hitherto prevented their obtain- 
ing a settlement, and receiving the satisfactory restitu- 
tion, which they apprehend themselves justly entitled 
to. This they consider as a misfortune, especially as 
the expenses of a like nature incurred by the other 
towns have long since been discharged by order of the 
General Court, towards which your petitioners have 
contributed no small share. 



16 

" And as your petitioners are still laboring under a." 
very heavy debt contracted for the general service and. 
defence of the country during the late war, and in ad- 
dition thereto have been paying interest tor the whole 
sum above mentioned, and are still paying interest for 
the same, they pray that your honors will be pleased 
as soon a* possible to take the premises into your wise 
consideration, and order the aforementioned sum to be 
paid them out of the public treasury, and thus far re- 
lieve them under their distresses. 

Signed by the selectmen, »» by order and in behalf of 
the town of Newburyport." 

Another subject concerning- which important facts 
appear on the records, is the formation of the consti- 
tution of Massachusetts. In October, 1776, it was voted 
that the Council and Mouse in their respective capaci- 
ties, and not in one body tC should enact such a consti- 
tuiion for this State, as they shall think fit for the' well* 
beinof of the country; and that it previously be made 
public for the perusal and approbation of the people." 

And here may be. noted the remarkable singularity in 
the domestic situation of the countr} 7 at this time. The 
State was ruled by a legislative body substantially like 
that of the Province, which maintained its authority by 
reliance on the good sense and rectitude of the commu- 
nity, rather than by any coercive power which it was 
capable of exercising-, or which it would have been suf- 
fered to exercise, if it had possessed the inclination and 
capacity. It was entirely dependant upon the towns, 
every one of which was considered and treated as a dis- 
tinct republic. At that peiiod, the General Court was 
Father the congress of these little confederate corpora- 
tions, than the legislature of an individual common- 
wealth. When the General Court desired to ascertain 
the sense of the people, it was usual to propose the 
subject for discussion in the town meetings. Such was 
the case, for example, when it was determined to resist 
England^ and continually during- the war in raising 
soldiers and supplies for the continental army. 

So it wa«, also, in respect to the State constitution. A 
coovention, assembled in 1777-8, proposed a skeich of 
•ne to the people, which was so much beneath the 



17 

wants and pretensions of the country, that many princi- 
pal men oppose;! it with great zeal and success. The 
opposition seems !o have been most decided in Newbu- 
ryport. At a meeting held March 26tb, 1773, the fol- 
lowing vote occurs : 

" Voted, that this town are of opinion, that the mode 
of representation contained in the constitution lately 
proposed by the convention of this State is unequal an i 
unjust, as thereby all the inhabitants of this State are 
not equally represented, and that some other parts of 
the same constitution are not founded on the true prin- 
ciples of government ; and that a convention of the sev- 
eral towns of this county, by their delegates, will have 
a probable tendency to reform the same, agreeably to 
the natural rights of mankind and the true principles of 
government. 

" Voted, that the selectmen he desired, in behalf and 
in the name of the town, to write circular letters to the 
several towns within the county, proposing a conven- 
tion of those towns, by their delegates, to be holden at 
such time and place as the selectmen shall think prop- 
er : in said circular letters to propose to each of the 
towns aforesaid, to send the like number of delegates 
to said convention, as the same towns have by law right 
to send representatives to the General Court.'" 

Accordingly the mo«t eminent citizen- of this ancient 
and leading county assembled at Ipswich and instituted 
an elaborate examination of the intended constitution, 
which was printed, with the title of the Essex Result. 
The effect of this pamphlet, which is attributed to the 
mighty mind of Theophilus Parsons, then resident in 
Newburyport, was perfectly decisive of the question. 
This town unanimously voted to reject the proposed 
form? of government} and suggested the expediency of 
calling a new convention for the sole purpose of fram- 
ing a constitution mote worthy of Massachusetts. 

This convention it was, which formed our constitution. 
It has frequently been said that this instrument was the 
fruit of compromise. Manifest proof of this exists in the 
records of Newburyport. The vote accepting the con- 
s' iiut ion, after criticising various parts of the constitu- 
tion, and proposing amendment?, concludes as follows: 
B 4 



15 

" The town then voted that their former delegates, 
be desired to attend the convention at their adjourn- 
ment, on the first Wednesday in June next, and use 
their endeavors to obtain the several alterations and 
amendments aforesaid, especially the four first mention- 
ed, as far as they may find it prudent. But if this can- 
not be effected, yet considering- that, from variety of 
opinions generally formed on matters of an interesting 
nature, by means of prejudices arising from education, 
and influence of interests, and various other causes, it is 
not to be expected that a form of government should 
ever be devised that will be agreeable to all the mem- 
bers of the community, and that consequently mutual 
concessions must be made ; considering further the ne- 
cessity of a speedy establishment of a form of govern- 
ment for this State, and that provision is made by the 
one now proposed for a revision of the same at a future 
period ; and esteeming it in general a wise and good 
one ; the town do voie and declare their approbation of 
the same in its present form." 

These extracts on the subject of our revolutionary 
history cannot be more appropriately concluded than 
with the address written by Theophilus Parsons and de- 
livered to Gen. Washington in October, 1789, and the 
answer of the President. 

To the President of the United States. 
Sir : 

4; When, by the unanimous suffrages of your coun- 
Irymen, you were called to preside over thoir public 
councils, the citizens of the town o£» Newburyport par- 
ticipated in the geneml joy, that arose from anticipating 
an administration, conducted by the man, to whose wis- 
dom and valor the} owed their liberties. 

t» Pleasing were the reflections, that he, who, by the 
blessing of heaven, had given them their independence, 
would again relinquish the felicities oi domestic retire- 
ment, to" teach them its just value. 

"Thoy have seen you victorious leave the field, fol- 
lowed by the applauses of a grateful country ; and (hey 
now see you entwining the olive with the laurel, and 
in peace, giving security to a people, whom in war 
you covered wilhgloiy. 



IS 

' ; At the present moment they indulge themselves in 
sentiments of joy, resulting- from a principle, perhaps 
less elevated, but exceedingly dear to their hearts ; — 
from a gratification of their affection, in beholding per- 
sonally among them the iriend, the benefactor, and the 
father of their country. 

« They cannot hope, sir, to exhibit any peculiar 
marks of attachment to your person; for, could they ex- 
press their feelings of the most ardent and sincere Grat- 
itude, they would only repeat the sentiments, which arc 
deeply impressed upon the hearts of ail their fellow 
citizens: but in justice to themselves they beg leave 
to assure you that, in no part of the United States, are 
those sentiments of gratitude and affection more cordial 
and animated, than in the town, which at this time is 
honored with your presence. 

" Long, sir, may you continue the ornament and sup- 
port of these States; and may the period be late, when 
you shall be called to receive a reward, adequate tc 
your virtues, which it is not in the power of your coun- 
try to bestow."' 

" To the citizens of the town of Newburyport, 
**■ Gentlemen : 

" The demonstrations of respect and affection, which 
you are pleased to pay to an individual, whose highest 
pretension is to rank as your fellow citizen, are of a na- 
ture too distinguished, not to claim the warmest return 
that gratitude can make, 

" My endeavors to be useful to my country have been 
no more than the result of conscious duty: — regards 
like yours would reward services of the highest estima- 
tion and sacrifice. Yet it is due to my feelings that I 
should tell you those regards are received with esteem 
and replied to with sincerity. 

"In visiting the town of Newburyport 1 have obeyed 
a favorite inclination, and 1 am much gratified hv the 
mdulgence. In expressing a sincere wish for its pros- 
perity, and the happiness of its inhabitants, I do justice 
to my own sentiments and their merit." 

">igned, G. Washington;" 

The prosperity of Newburyport continued steadily 
to increase after the constitution ol the United States 



20 

•Was established, and the country tranquillized. Its in- 
habitants firmly supported Washington in his determi- 
nation to maintain, if possible, a strict neutrality during- 
the wars consequent on the French revolution. Of hir 
famous proclamation of neutrality in 1793, that muc'i 
disputed but most wise and salutary measure, they ex- 
pressed the following opinion as a corporation : 

" Voted unanimously, That in the opinion of this 
town, the neutrality ot the United States, during the 
war now waged by the several belligerent powers in 
Europe, is consistent with the honor and good faith of 
our government, and not repugnant to any treaties ex- 
isting between the United States, and any of those pow- 
trs. 

" Voted unanimously* That in the opinion of this town, 
a strict and uniform adherence to that neutrality is of 
the utmost importance, to the best interests and happi- 
ness of our country, 

" Voted unanimously., That in the opinion of this town, 
the late proclamation of the President, declaring that 
neutrality, was ;i constitutional and wise measure, re- 
sulting from his ardent affection for his fellow-citizens, 
his knowledge of, and vigilant attention to, their just 
rights and true interest, 

"Voted unanimously, That in -the opinion ofthis town, 
any infraction of the laws of neutrality, by any of the 
citizens of the United States fitting out, or being in- 
terested in armed vessels, to cruise against the citizen* 
or subjects of fither of the belligerent powers, or per- 
sonally engaging in such cruise, will naturally tend to 
injure essentially the agricultural, manuiacturing, and 
commercial interests of this country." 

And in 1794, when the violence of the belligerents, 
and especially the extravagant maritime pretensions of 
Great Britain, led them into many aggre c sions on our neu- 
ttal rights; and this induced Congress to provide an 
embargo for the temporary protection of our commerce, 
the inhabitants of the town passed a vote approving oh 
the measure, and declaring their opinion that it ought 
to be continued as long as the public exigencies re- 
quire I it. 

In the fall of 1793, a transient gloom was thrown 



2T 

tver the town by the introduction of the emall-pex 
soion^ ifs Inhabitants. Only about twenty persons died of 
it, owing to the vigilance and precaution used to check 
its oro^ress. But the consternation occasioned at that 
time by the presence of this fatal and loathsome mala- 
dy can hardly be realized now, when vaccination has 
almost relieved us from the dread of it* recurrence. It 
produced lor a shod peiiod injurious effects upon the 
commerce of the town, by deterrTng person- from resort- 
ing to it lor the purpose of tfade ; but the alarm soon 
subsided, and business resumed it's wonted activity. 

But the affliction occasioned by the appearance of 
the yellow fever in the town in the summer of 1796, was 
more extensive and of longer duration, l.ven before the 
di-covery of the admirable effect- of vaccination, the 
use of inoculation could disarm the smn!!-pox of a por- 
tion of its terrors: and it could be escaped by sfiunning 
all intercourse witfi the infected. But a destructive' 
malignant fever could not be so easily controlled. Tbir- 
ty ? eight persons died of the disease* in Newburyport, in 
a single season ; and its ravages were stayed only by 
the approach of cool autumnal weather. Whether i! was 
imported from abroad, or engendered in the precinct's ol 
the town, was then, as it is in like cases now, a matter 
of dispute and uncertainty. But certain it is that the 
disease has in almost every instance been quite limited 
in range ; and ha ; commenced its progress in some dense- 
ly inhabited spot, where tocal causes rendered the air 
impure, and susceptible of infection. And ii is equally 
certain that m lignant fevers are every year ceasing to 
be so widely destructive, as tlie progress. of improve- 
ment indexes the n icrpal authorities to pay more ex- 
act attention to the ct< imliness ci; sea-pOrts. To its 
airy situation, the neatness - d openness of its streets, 
and the enforcement of local health laws, far more than 
to quarant ne regulation*, Newbury; ort may probably 
attribute its long exemption from infectious di-tempers. 
During tlie ciiiTerences with the French directory, in 
which our government was involved in 1798, the in- 
habitants of Newburvport warmly supported the nation. 
At a town-meeting hoiden April 30th 1793, a committee 
consisting of Benjamin Greenleaf, Charles Jackson, 



Theophilus Parsons, Samuel A. Otis, jr. and Jonathan 
Boardman prepared the following ad.lress to President 
Adams under the direction of the town. 

" To the President of the United States, 
"Sir: 

The inhabitants of the town of Newburvport, fully 
impressed with the present important crisis of public 
affairs, are prompted no less by a sense of duty than by 
their o.vn feelings, to express those sentiments which 
the occision so naturally inspires in the breast of every 
American. From the long experience of your conduct 
in the many pubiic offices to which you have been call- 
ed by your own country, they feel the most perfect con- 
fidence in your wisdom, integrity ''and ^patriotism ; and 
they with cheerfulness declare their entire, approbation 
of you$ attempt to adjust all existing disputes with the 
French Republic by an amicable negociation ; of that 
spirit of conciliation which dictated your instructions to 
our ministers; and of the principles of justice on which 
they wore founded. The^' learn with equal indignation 
and astonishment that tiii- spirit of conciliation has been 
repelled with contempt, that these principles of justice 
have been disregarded, and that a heavy tribute, with 
humiliating concessions on our part, has been propos- 
ed tu us in a manner arbitrary and unfriendly, as the 
price at which we must purchase the. right of being 
S^eard. The inhabitants of this town duly rppreciate 
the blessings of peace and neutrality, but they will nev- 
er complain at the loss of those blessings, when con- 
strained to sacrifice them to the honor, the dignity and 
the essential interests of their country. They consid- 
er the present interesting state of public affairs as a 
solemn appeal to the hearts oi" all independent Amerir 
cans, and a call on them to come forward with unanimi- 
ty and firmness, in support of the government and the 
men of their choice, to resist with becoming dignity 
any vain attempt to derogate from our common sove- 
reignty, or to degrade our national character from the 
rank it now jusily holds among nations, to convince the 
world that we are alike uninfluenced by corruption and 
by fear, and that we will not be a divided people, the 



23 

.miserable slaves of a foreign power, or the despicable 
tools oi foreign influence. 

"Impressed with these sentiment?, and relying with 
full confidence on the wisdom and patriotism of every 
branch oi gorernmont, they take this occasion solemnly 
to pledge their lives and fortunes to support the measures 
judged Leeessary by the President and Congress, to 
preserve and secure the happiness, the dignity, and the 
essential interests of the United States.'' 

To which tne following reply was made by the 
Piesident : — 

To the Inhabitants of JVewburyport. 
* 4 Gentlemen : 

The address Of the inhabitants of (he ancient, popu> 
lous and wealthy town ot TCewburyport, passed without 
a dissentient voice, .it a ■ ite meeting, as certified by 
your, selectmen, and 'presented to me by your repre- 
sentative in Congress, Mr. Bartlett, does me great hon- 
or. 

The astonishment and iudignation, you express at 
(he ccntempt with vvhich a spirit of conciliation has 
been replied to ;your resolution never to complain at the 
loss of the blessings of peace and neutrality, when con- 
strained to sacrifice them to the honor, ciignity and es- 
sential interests of your country ; to resist with becom- 
ing dignity, any vain attempt to derogate from our com- 
mon sovereignty, or to degrade our national character 
from the rank it now justly holds among nations ; to 
convince. the world that you are alike uninfluenced by 
corruption and by fear; that you are not a divided peo* 
pie, the miserable slaves of foreign influence, do ecpial 
honor to your hearts and judgment: 

lour reliance, with lull confidence, on the wisdom 
and patriotism of every branch of the government, and 
the solemn pledge of your lives and tonun.es, .to sup- 
port the. measures of the legislature and administra- 
tion, to preserve and secure the happiness, dignity, and 
.essential interests of the United States, are ail the as- 
surances which the best of governments could desire 
iron} the best of citizens. 

John Adam's, 
Philadelphia, May 8, 1798, 



"24 

A number of the inhabitant? also subscribed about the 
same time, for the construction and equipment of a ship 
of twenty guns for the use of the nation, which, in the 
infancy of our navy, was a service of considerable im- 
portance. The following document explains the views 
of these patriotic citizens. 

" -Newburyport, June 1, 1798. 
« Sir : 

A number of the inhabitants of this town have agreed 
to build and equip a ship of three hundred and fifty-five 
tons burthen, to be mounted with 20 six pound cannon, 
and to offer her to the governmenrof the United States 
for their use. They have also voted that they will not 
accept of any further or other compensation from *the 
government than an interest of six per cent per annum 
on the net cost of the ship and equipments, and a final 
reimbursement, at the convenience of government, of 
the said net cost ; and they have appointed us a com- 
mittee to inform you of their intentions, and to request 
you to promote a provision whereby they may be ena- 
bled to carry their designs into execution by the coun- 
tenance of government, so tar as the same shall appear 
necessary. As we indulge a hope that this intention of 
the citizens of Newburyport wiil lead to proportionate 
exertions in larger and wealthier towns, we beg leave 
to suggest the convenience that any piovi-ion, which 
maybe thought proper and applicable to the c <se ? might 
be general. The inhabitants of this town, at the pres- 
ent moment, are animated v<ith the paost zealous reso- 
lution to support and defend, with their lives and prop- 
erty, th e o-nvcroment of their counlry, as well against the 
open attacks of foreign enemies, as the insidious at- 
tempts of domestic traitor-. '1 'hey heartily wish their 
abili ies extended beyond their present ofi'er, but the 
immense ravages which have been committed on their 
property by sea, and the great proportion of the rem- 
nant v.°t at risk, forbid their farther indulgence of their 
inclinations, l! may be that nder a late act of gov- 
ernment authorizing the Exec itjve to purchase s ; ags 
of war, the proposal may be closed without legislative 
aid. If such should be your opinion, we wish y> n to^ay 
the plan before the Executive^ and we shall be the mvic 



25 

gratified in this way, as the whole business may proba- 
bly be thus considerably expedited. The materials are 
already in forwardness, and provisional contracts will 
be entered into, so that probably, in ninety days from 
our receiving assurances that government patronizes 
our design, the ship may be afloat. The best calculations 
we have been able to make of the whole expense, re- 
duce it below thirty thousand dollars, and if the utmost 
attention to economy and despatch can effect any thing, 
the cost will finally fall considerably within that sum. 

Among the good effects of the present proposal, we 
have contemplated that, in this way, government may 
at this period, when so many calls for money exist, pro- 
cure the means of defence, without actual advances, per- 
haps with more promptitude, and undoubtedly with con- 
siderably less expense, than in the common mode oi 
contracts. (Signed by) 

William Bartlett, ^ 

William Coombs, i 

Dudley A. Tyng, I £j 

Moses Brown, I 3 

Wm. P. Johnson, > S 

Nicholas Johnson, 1 ~ 

William Faris, 1 ? 

Ebenezer Stocker, I 

Sam. A. Otis, Jr. ' 

Hon. Bailey Bartlett. 

This ship was built under the direction of William 
Hacket as master-builder and superintendant. The 
work was despatched with so much rapidity that only 
seventy five working days were consumed incompleting 
her. Her keel was laid July 9th and she was launched 
into the Merrimac, whose name she bore, October 
12th 1798, and was manned and sent to sea with all pos- 
sible expedition, under the command of capt. Moses 
Brown. But in consequence chiefly of her being con- 
structed of unseasoned timber she ran only about five 
years, and was then sold for the merchants' service ; 
soon after which she was wrecked upon cape Cod. 

After the short lived war with France was over, and 
peace restored, the commercial prosperity of Newbury- 
c 



26 

port continued to increase with renewed vigor. For 
the period of ten years next ensuing, its wealth and 
population were augmented to a degree, of which few 
examples can be found even in this country, where the 
growth of towns is often so rapid as to leave little space 
between their infancy and their maturity. In 1800, the 
population of the town was 5,946 ; in 1810 it had become 
7,639. In 1802 its whole rateable estate was estimated 
at only g3,754,920; but in 1810 it amounted to g7,069,- 
000 dollars. This period was one of feverish excite- 
ment in business and politics. Mercantile industry was 
stimulated, in a manner the most unprecedented, by the 
peculiar situation of this country, combined witb the 
local advantages of the town. The happy effects of 
the neutral policy of Washington were now strikingly 
manifested ; and for several years, wbilst every other 
maritime State was involved in the most embittered 
warfare, America, a neutral nation at amity with all 
mankind, was reaping a rich harvest of wealth from 
the carrying trade of Europe and her colonies. During 
the lapse of twenty years, indeed, from 1792 to 1812, 
the full benefit of this trade was enjoyed by the United 
States alone. Almost every flag but hers was swept 
from the ocean by the wars engendered by the French 
revolution. We had, in fact, as a nation, a kind of mo- 
nopoly of this lucrative ocsupation. 

JNewburyport, as already intimated, was well adapt- 
ed to participate largely in this trade and on a favora- 
ble footing. The town was not the seat of any exten- 
sive manufacture, which might give it commercial ac- 
tivity, and build it up, as Manchester does Liverpool; 
nor could it boast of being, like New Orleans or New 
York, the depot of a vast interior region devoted to ag- 
riculture. But having direct access, by means of the 
river Merrimac, to a country well wooded with ship- 
timber, its thrifiy inhabitants needed but a small capi- 
tal to enable them to fit out a vessel, and transport the 
productions ol the southern States or of the West Indies 
to Europe. Their industry was thus liberally reward- 
ed with a speedy incfease, in this hardy and enterpris- 
ing employment. 
But these days, .so serviceable to the country, were 



ft7 

not destined to be of long duration. The great belli 
gerent powers, engaged in combats injurious to their 
own commercial prosperity, soon began to regard, with 
envy and jealousy, the fast rising fortunes of America. 
They were chagrined to see us taking advantage, hon- 
estly enough and most successfully, of their own folly 
and imprudence. They began by occasional aggres- 
sions upon our mercantile marine, desisting from time 
to time when our remonstrances against their violence 
became more determined. The sums of money, which 
they piratically plundered from the nation before 1806, 
were immense, and the losses, which the merchants of 
this town thereby sustained, must have seriously affect- 
ed its prosperity but for the extraordinary extent and 
profitableness of our trade. But at length the two great 
warring states of Europe, England and France, with their 
respective allies, seemed to conspire in their attacks 
upon our commerce ; and our government deemed it 
necessary, for the protection of our property, to com- 
mence that series of restrictive measures, which termi- 
nated in the late war with great Britain. 

Thus it was that the development of our national en- 
ergies, and of the prosperity of the town, so wonder- 
fully and so unnaturally hastened before, now under- 
went a sudden check. 

But in addition to the evils arising to us from the cu- 
pidity of the European belligerents, and the restrictive 
and retaliatory measure* into which this country was 
consequently driven, Newburyport was doomed to suf- 
fer by a peculiar misfortune. This was the great fire of 
1811, which desolated the busiest portion of the town, 
by its destructive ravages ; — and whose effects still meet 
the eye, in the depopulation of streets formerly tilled 
with dwelling-houses and shops. 

This conflagration commenced in a stable in Mechan- 
ic Row, near the Market square, and of course in the 
centre of the portion of the town devoted to trade and 
business. The stable was at the time unoccupied ; and 
when the fire was discovered, was found to be com- 
pletely enveloped in flames. This was at half past 
nine o'clock in the evening of the thirty first day of 
May, 1811. The tire quickly extended to Market 



fquare on the one hand, and to State street on the other. 
and soon spread in various directions, with a degree ot 
celerity and fury, which haffled alt exertions to stop its 
progress. The tire continued to rage until ahout two 
o'clock in the morning, soon alter which its violence 
diminished ; and by sunrise it had in a great measure 
subsided, after having swept away every thing on a tract 
of land of sixteen and a half acres, leaving there only a 
mass of deplorable ruins. No part of the town was 
more compactly built than this ; none contained so large 
a proportion ot valuable buildings*, merchandize, and 
other property. Indeed the compactness of the build- 
ings, which were chiefly constructed of wood, served 
constantly to feed the flames with combustible material, 
so that for a time the destruction of the whole town 
was seriously apprehended. It was estimated that near- 
ly 250 buildings were consumed, most of which were 
stores and dwelling-houses. This number included near- 
ly all the shops in town for the sale of dry goods ; four 
printing offices ; the custom-house ; the post-office ; two 
insurance offices ; four book-stores ; and one meeting 
house ; and the dwellings of more than ninety families. 

The scene presented by this conflagration was truly 
terrible. It is described by an eye-witness in the en- 
suing words : 

" At the commencement of the fire, it was a bright 
moon light night, and the evening was cool and pleas- 
ant. But the moon gradually became obscured and at 
length disappeared in the thick cloud of smoke, which 
ihrouded the atmosphere. — The glare of light through- 
out the town was intense, and the heat that of a sultry 
summer noon. The streets were thronged with those, 
whose dwellings were consumed, conveying the re- 
mains of their property to places of safety. The in- 
cessant crash of falling buildings, the roaring of chim- 
neys like distant thunder, the flames ascending in curl- 
ing volumes from a vast extent of ruins, the air filled 
with a shower of fire, and the feathered throng flutter- 
ing over their wonted retreats, and dropping into the 
flames; the looing of the cows, and the confused noise 
of exertion and distress, united to impress the mind 
with the most awful sensations." 



29 

The unprecedented rapidity, with which the flames 
spread themselves over the town, may be inferred from 
the following circumstance. Many persons had, soon 
after the fire began, carried their goods and furniture 
seemingly to a secure distance, and deposited them in 
the meeting-house of the Baptist Society in Liberty- 
street. But the fire at length reached this place, and 
consumed the church and its contents, which, being ac- 
cumulated there, greatly increased the flames. 

Nothing was more remarkable during the heartrend- 
ing scene of this destructive conflagration, than the 
spectacle which State-street exhibited on one occasion. 
Two large brick buildings, four stores in height, stood 
upon the western side of this street, and opposed a bar- 
rier to the destructive element, which it was hoped 
for a time would there be arrested in its course. But a 
sudden change of wind threw the flames directly upon 
these immense piles, which were speedily involved in 
the general calamity. The opposite buildings being 
now on fire, and the wind blowing with great force, the 
flames ascended high on either side, and meeting in the 
ajr, extended in a continual sheet of fire across the 
spacious street. The impression made by this tremen- 
dous scene upon the mind of the author of these pages, 
then a youthful spectator of it, will never be effaced 
from his recollection. It was sublime beyond conception. 
The beholder could look through a long vista of over- 
arching blaze, whose extreme brilliancy dazzled and fa- 
tigued, while it irresistibly attracted, the straining eye. 

The sufferings of the families, whose dwellings and 
property were Consumed, immediately excited the 
sympathy of the libera! and charitable. Meetings were 
held in many of the large towns in various parts of the 
country ; and generous donations were received from 
different quarters, for the relief of the inhabitants. The 
citizens of Boston collected upwards of twenty-four 
thousand dollars, which, with characteristic libera 'ity, 
they presented to the sufferers by the tire. By these 
means, the losses of the poorer class were very much, 
lightened ; and the extent of the calamity was diminish- 
ed. But the injury to the town, and to very many in- 
c2 



30 

dividuals, by the absolute destruction of property, was 
still very seiious ; and ite effects must long continue to 
be felt. 

This misfortune befell the town at a time when the 
restrictive system had produced a complete stagnation of 
its commerce, and its inhabitants were deprived of bu- 
siness. Soon afterwards the war ensued ; and on the 
restoration of peace in 181&, the neutral advantages of 
the nation had ceased to exist. The people of Europe, 
who had formerly looked with so much jealousy on our 
prosperous trade, when they were sinking under the 
exhaustion of protracted warfare, now enjoyed the ben- 
efit of peace. Business, of course, was speedily divert- 
ed into new channels, and Newburyport has never yet 
regained its pristine elevation in population and wealth. 
The consideraiion of the causes, which produced or ac- 
celerated its decline, will form the subject of another 
portion of these pages ; and is only mentioned here a* 
in the course of narrative. 

Of the civil history of the town during the last twen- 
ty years, and the part taken by its inhabitants in the 
political affairs of the period, it would not become the 
author to speak at length. These incidents are too re- 
cent to have become, as yet, the subject of history. — 
The nation w T as divided, upon the topics discussed in 
the public acts of the town, at the time in question; 
and tic, individuals interested in them still remain up- 
on the stage of life. The peculiar misfortunes of the 
town occasioned a susceptibility in the breasts of its 
inhabitants, and an irritation of feeling, in regard to 
political subjects, which is no longer experienced. The 
views of public affairs, entertained by the majority of 
this town and of Massachusetts, were not in unison with 
the measures, which the executive of the country was 
compelled, by the injustice of the European belliger- 
ents, to. pursue. —The voice of the nation, however, 
approved at that time, and has sanctioned since, the. 
course of our government. The expediency or inex- 
pediency of that course would not constitute a suitable 
matter for discussion in this place. And the addresses, 
resolutions, and other public acts of the town, during 
fchose days of exasperation, cpuU not be introduced 



34 

here without some expression of opinion upon their 
purport, which w^ould necessarily be invidious and mis- 
placed. 

The recent annals of the town furnish no events, for 
the pen of the historian to record. In the peaceful and 
tranquil pursuit of the objects of honest industry, its in- 
habitants are seeking to restore it to its former stand- 
ing in commerce. Success attend their efforts ! " The 
external situation of the town is unrivalled in beauty; 
the sides of the river continually increase in populoas- 
ness ; the bar was no obstacle to the acquisition of 
wealth in former times and therefore need not be now ; 
our mechanics are as faithful and intelligent as they 
used to be, when they gained so much celebrity for 
the ship building and naval equipments of the river 
Merrrmac ; we can manage distilleries or fisheries with 
as much skill as our neighbors; we can purchase lum- 
ber as cheaply and export it in as good bottoms as can 
any part of the commonwealth ; nor will our merchants 
or mariners yield to those of any other seaport in up- 
rightness, enterprise, or information. If all these 
tfcings are true, — and that they are so who <:an deny 1 
— there is no reason whatever why we should think our 
future prospects more discouraging than the rest of the, 
maritime towns of equal size in New England."* 

* Oration delivered in Newburyport July 4ih. 182L , 



i 



32 



TOPOGRAPHY. 



Neweuryport, as incorporated, was compressed with- 
in very narrow limits, lying contiguous to the Merri- 
mac on one side, and being surrounded on the other 
three sides by the then town of Newbury, The ma- 
terial section of the. act of incorporation is in the fol- 
lowing words, namely : — 

" Anno Regni Regis Georgii Tertii Quarto. 

An Act for erecting part of the town of Newbury in- 
to a new town by the name of Newburyport. 

Whereas the town of Newbury is very large, and the 
inhabitants of that part of it who dwell by the water side 
there, as it is commonly called, are mostly merchants, 
traders, and artificers, and the inhabitants of the other 
parts of the town are chiefly husbandmen, by means 
whereof many dimculties and disputes hare arisen in 
managing their public affairs : 

Be it enacted by the Governor, Council, and House of 
Representatives, that that part of the said town of New- 
bury and the inhabitants thereof included within the 
following line, namely, beginning at Mdrrimac river 
against the northeasterly end of the town way com- 
monly called Cottle's lane (South-street) and running 
as the said lane doth on the eastwardly side of it to 
the highway commonly called the High-ctreet, and so 
westwardly as the said highway runs on the northward- 
ly side thereof, till it comes to a highway known by 
the name of Fish-street, (State-street) and thence 
southwestwardly as the way goes and on the eastward- 
ly side thereof leading by Benjamin Moody's, to a place 
called the West Indies, until it intersects a straight line 
drawn from the southwardly side of the highway against 
Cottle's lane as aforesaid to a rock in the great pasture 



aear the dividing line between the third and filth par- 
ishes there, and so as the said straight line goes until it 
comes to the dividing line aforesaid, from thence as the 
said dividing line runs by the said fifth parish down to 
Merrimac river, and thence along said river to the place 
first mentioned, — be and hereby are constituted an:i 
made a separate and distinct town by the name of 
Newbury port, vested and endowed with all the powers 
privileges, and immunities, that the inhabitants of any of 
the towns within this Province do or ought by law to 
enjoy."' 

The space comprehended within these limits con- 
tains but 647 acres, and constitutes the smallest town in 
the commonwealth. Add to this that a considerable 
portion of the territory lies in common, or is unoccupi- 
ed- by houses, and the denscness of the. population in the 
occupied portion of it, will be still more manifest. 

This tract of land was first laid out in 1644, five years 
after the incorporation of Newbury. In 1642 the town 
of Newbury » well weighing the straights they were in 
for want of plough ground, remoteness of the common, 
and scarcity of fencing stuff,' granted authority to 
THfbmas Parker, James Noyes, John Woodbridge, Ed- 
ward Raw sod, John Cutting, Edward Woodman, John 
Lowlc (Lowell) and John Clark, to lay out a 4 new town, r 
which was accordingly done January 11th 1644. This 
'new town' included ail the inhabited part of Newbury- 
port, extending south westerly to a line running nearly 
parallel with the river ' through the pine-swamp.' 

A considerable tract of land within the limits of thio 
town, namely, the water lots, was then and long contin- 
ued to be in common and undivided. In 1707 the pro- 
prietors voted to divide these water lots, and the com- 
mittee appointed for the purpose completed their task 
in 1711. They wore divided into 225 lots, ' by the 
same rule as the 6000 acres in the upper woods were 
laid out,' assigning to each commoner his rateable pro- 
portion, and leaving suitable public landing places. — 
Since that time, and mostly subsequent to the incorpora- 
tion of Newburyport, fifteen lar^e wharves, and a number 
of small ones have been constructed upon these water- 
lots. 



34 

The location of the town presented facilities for lad- 
ing out. the streets with regularity, which have not been 
disregarded. The populous part of the town forms a par- 
allelogram covering the declivity beside the Merrimac, of 
which the long sides are Water-street next the river, 
and High-street on the summit of the ridge. The oth- 
er main streets unite these nearly at right angles, and 
are generally wide, and constructed with great neatness 
and convenience. And these again are intersected by 
other small streets of similar construction. 

The principal public buildings in Newburyport 
are, a brick court-house, one half of which is the 
property of the county* and the other half of the 
town ; a stone gaol, erected in 1825 ; a brick market- 
house, built in 1823; a town-hall ; four brick school- 
houses and seven churches. Of the churches and 
schools a more particular account will be given in the 
sequel. 

Of the public improvements connected with the town 
the most expensive is the Newburyport Turnpike. — 
This was begun in 1803 and completed in 1806. — 
Tt proceeds in a straight line from the head of State- 
street in Newburyport to Maiden bridge, and makes the 
distance only thirty-two miles to Boston, more than five 
miles less than the main post road. Immense labor 
was employed in the construction of this road, hi filling 
up deep vallies, and digging away hill*, so as to pre- 
serve the direct course to Boston. In the first twenty 
miles all the angles together increase the distance only 
eighty-three feet: — so successful were the projectors in 
the accomplishment of their purpose- The whole cost 
of this turnpike was 420,000 dollars, and the orig- 
inal proprietors have received a very scanty income 
from their investments in the stock. — Taste and the 
exigencies of business carry most travellers through Ips- 
wich and Salem, and away from the turnpike, which 
would probably have been more valuable and useful, 
had it been so directed as to take those towns in its 
course. But alth'ough less useful than it might be if it 
ran otherwise, it is a monument of the enterprise an/1 
perseverance of its projectors. 



OK 

OJ 

The local advantages of Newburyport as a place of 
business are derived from its contiguity to the Merri- 
mac. This name, handed down from the aboriginal in- 
habitants of the country, signifies a sturgeon. The riv- 
er is formed by the junction of the Pemigewasset and 
Winipisiogee, in New Hampshire. The Winipisiogee 
flows from the lake of that name, and unites with the 
Pemigewasset at Sanbornton, after which the confluent 
stream bears the name of Merrimac. The Pemigewas- 
set arises in the White Mountains, and in its long de- 
scent among the highlands receives accessions from 
many tributary rivulets. From its soure the Pemige- 
wasset flows south about fifty miles to the junction; and 
from thence the Merrimac runs about ninety miles, first 
in a southerly and afterwards in an easterly direction to 
the sea. 

In "its course the Merrimac passes over many falls. Of 
these the most remarkable, either for beauty or height, 

are the Hookset, the Amoskeag, and the Patucket 

Around each of these, navigable canals have been con- 
structed. The canal at Patucket fall is the site of the 
great manufacturing establishments, which have given 
such sudden rise to the eastern part of Chelmsford, now 
the town of Lowell. Between this place and Haverhill, 
the head of the navigation of the river, there are sev- 
eral other falls and rapids. A number of citizens of 
Newburyport and others, several years ago, obtained 
permission from the legislature to construct a canal 
around these remaining obstructions in the Merrimac, 
for the purpose of enabling heavy goods to be convey- 
ed by water the whole extent of the river from the sea, 
and thus increasing the commerce of Newburyport ; but 
they have never yet been able to procure funds tor the 
contemplated enterprise. As it is, the trade of the in- 
terior, which should naturally be conducted by the riv- 
er to Newburyport, is diverted from thence to Boston by 
Middlesex canal. 

Several bridges have been thrown across this river 
at different places. Of these the Essex Merrimac 
Bridge, between Newbury and Salisbury, about three 
miles above Newburyport, first erected in 1792, is the 



3C 

most deserving of notice. It consists in fact of tw* 
bridges, resting upon an island in the midst of the riv- 
er. The bridge on the Newbury side is hung upon 
chains ; and the bank of the river and of the island at 
this point being high and precipitous, the plan of the 
bridge is a y/ery happy effort to overcome the natural 
difficulties of the location. The engineer under whose 
direction it was built was Mr. Timothy Palmer, a citi- 
zen of Newburyport, who died there in 1821, to whose 
taste and enterprise much of the regularity and beauty 
of its streets are to be attributed. 

The direct course from Boston to Portsmouth and 
Portland lies through Newburyport. But in conse- 
quence of the Essex Merrimac bridge being upwards of 
two miles above Newburyport on the river, the travel- 
ler on the great eastern post road is obliged to deflect 
to the westward at Newburyport, and pass up the riv- 
er to cross the bridge. To remedy this inconvenience, 
a new bridge is now constructing near the ferry over 
the Merrimac from Newburyport to Salisbury, which 
will considerably diminish the distance to Portsmouth. 

The mean breadth of the Merrimac at Newburyport, 
may be estimated at about eighty rods. The harbor 
ito capacious, safe, and commodious, but difficult of en- 
trance, the mouth of the river being obstructed by a 
bar. This bar consists of loose shifting sand, and the 
channel over it is narrow and terminated on each side 
by dangerous shoals. The greatest depth of water up- 
on it, at high tides, is about fourteen feet. It ; is prob- 
ably formed by the current of the river, in its progress 
out, meeting the drift of the sea and opposing winds, 
and by that means forming a bank of loose sand, which 
the strength of the tide is insufficient to force out.''*— 
It extends across before the mouth of the river from 
Salisbury beach to Plum island. This island is about 
eight miles long, and not more than live hundred paces 
in width, stretching along the shore, from which it is 
separated by a narrow river, which empties itself into 
Ipswich bay. It consists of yellow sand, thrown up by 
the wind into fantastic hillocks, and bearing scarcely 

* BIuat'3 Coast Pilot, page 150. 






37 

a% vegetation except thickets of juniper and the plum,* 
from which it derives its Dame ; a very small part of it 
being capable of cultivation. Two light-houses stand 
upon the northerly end of the island, containing fixed 
lights, but the light houses themselves being ?o con- 
structed as to be moveable, on account of the constant 
shifting of the bar and of the channel of the river. 

As the dangerous character of this island not unfre- 
quently subjected seamen to much suffering upon the 
coast, and sometimes to shipwreck, permanent provision 
has repeatedly been made for their succor and relief. — 
Many years ago the Marine Society erected huts to pro- 
tect them from the storms ; which, however, owing to 
the cooperation of various causes, were before long to- 
tally destroyed. Since then the Merrimac Humane So- 
ciety took precautions for a time, to maintain shel- 
ter constantly on the shore for the distressed mari- 
ner. Partly to aid in the same benevolent object, a 
bridge and turnpike have been constructed from New- 
buryport to Plum Island ; in order that immediate re- 
lief may be afforded to such persons as unfortunately 
chance to be cast upon the isiand by tempestuous weather. 

The great inconvenience sustained by the public in 
general, and by Newburyport especiallv, in consequence 
of the obstructions at the mouth of the Merrimac, has 
directed much speculation to the question whether they 
may be removed.— A chimerical idea has been enter- 
tained by some, of deepening the sea on the bar by a 
kind of plough to be propelled by a steam-boat. But 
as well might it be attempted to plough a permanent 
furrow in the sea itself; for the bar consisting of quick- 
sands, if it could be removed in the method above men- 
tioned, it would be of no avail ; because the sand would 
be instantly washed in, by the action of the wind and 
waves, and fill up the chancel anew. 

* Primus Httoralis of Big-. Some other plants of interesting botani- 
al character, are to be found on Plum island, such are the Hudaonia to- 
mentosa, whose yellow flowers, and tufted downy appearance, give a pe- 
culiar aspect to the sandy waste;— the Convallaria stellata, found in 
great perfection ;— the Lathyrus maritimus ot Big., with large showy, 
purple flowers, and bright green leaves;— and especially the Arenariat 
pephideg, whose fleshy glaucous stems are clustered into green little tints, 
*h»ch .rising as they do from the naked 8ands,resetnble oases in the desei;, 

D 



38 

An application was made to Congress the last session 
for an appropriation for the purpose of surveying the 
harbor and mouth of the river, and ascertaining wheth- 
er any improvements of the navigation are practicable. 
A sum of money was accordingly granted ; and the 
question will probably now be definitively settled by a 
practised engineer Much confidence is reposed by ma- 
ny in the good effect of narrowing and straightening the 
channel of the river by a breakwater, so as to carry 
the whole body of its waters, concentrated in a smaller 
compass and with greater intensity than it now flows, 
against the bar; which, it is thought, may be driven fur- 
ther out to sea, and thus the water be deepened. 

The course of the river at its entrance into the sea 
is continually changing. — In the lapse of a few years 
the hifts tli breadth of the channel. The land is 

i) i kg on the Salisbury shore, and yielding place 
to the tvater at the adjacent extremity of Plum Island. 
te f a fort formerly built on this island for the 
protection of the harbor is now on the Salisbury side. 
A tradition exists fhat, at the first settlement of the 
• try, the present channel might have been forded 
over; and that the main passage of the river into the 
vas f!«en at Ipswich bar. 
rbe chief natural curiosity near Newburyport is a 
e*s of limestone pits, about two miles south of the 
known by the name of the Devil's Den. These 
w formerly^ wrought to advantage, but have long 
since be n ibandoned. The excavations are still re- 
garded '•'■(> i crest, on account of a number of miner- 
als to be fourkl there, some of which are of rare occur- 
rence. The limestone rock is intersected with strata 
of serpentine, of various shades, from the light green 
to the darkest variety, ••! a fine grain, and susceptible 
c r ;Ue most b jaut'ful polish The serpentine again is 
frequently traversed by thin veins of asbestos of a short 
but very delicate and glossy tibre. Tremolite, also, 
is found there Li abundance ; with iron pyrites, some- 
times of a larg- «ize ; and occasionally garnets; 
a~>o cine; more common minerals. — The excavations, 
b iog superficial, are not otherwise particularly r«- 
markable. 



3$ 



BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATIONS. 



The charitable associations in Newburyport are nu- 
merous ; and of necessity only a portion of them can be 
described in the limits of these pages. The following' 
are among- the most importaat and most notorious. 

THE MARINE, SOCIETY 

Of Newburyport was incorporated in 1777. The idea 
of the association was borrowed from a similar society 
in Boston, chartered by Gov. Shirley in 1754, and anoth- 
er in Salem, both for the same general purposes. In 
November 1772 the following persons, namely, Thom- 
as Jones, William Wyer, Benjamin Rogers, Samuel New- 
hall, Michael Hodge, and Edward Wigglesworth, institut- 
ed the society at Newburyport, each person contribut- 
ing a guinea to commence a charitable fund for unfortu- 
nate members, and inviting others to join on the same 
condition. They were incorporated in 1777, and have 
continued in being ever since, always maintaining a high 
character for respectability, and for liberal charities. 

The principal ends of the Society, which is compost- 
ed entirely of past or present ship masters, are two: — 
To improve the knowledge of the coast by the several 
members, upon their arrival from sea, communicating 
their observations inwards and outwards of the variation 
of the needle, soundings, courses, distances, and other 
remarkable things, in writing, to be lodged with the So- 
ciety, for the greater security of navigation ; — And to' 
raise a common fund, for the relief of the members and 
their families in poverty, or other adverse accidents of 
life, to which mariners are particularly subject. 

For the support and protection of any shipmaster*' 



40 

who hare met with accidents at sea, such as shipwfeck- 
capture, or the like, it is customary for the Society, if, 
the party desire it, to examine into the circumstances of 
the case, and if his conduct should appear to them satis- 
factory, to give him a certificate of their approbation. 

Conscious of the difficulties attending an approach to 
the port, occasioned by the bar, the Society early took 
measures for facilitating the navigation of the river. — 
In 1783 they erected two beacons on Plum island to 
serve as landmarks for the guidance of vessels during 
the day ; and made provission for the support of lights 
in the night ; which they maintained, assisted by the 
merchants, until light-houses were afterwards erected 
at the expense of the government. At the same 
time they established a system of signals, by which to 
make known the quality of any vessel, which might ap-* 
pear standing towards the mouth of the river. 

In 1787 the Society first caused two small houses to 
he erected on Plum island, to receive shipwrecked mar- 
iners, and shelter them from the inclemencies of the 
weather until they could have further aid, — as already 
mentioned in another part of this work. — The Society, 
even then, found it difficult to keep the huts from being 
destroyed by malicious or mischievous persons. 

The Society have occasionally ordered survej's to be 
made, to ascertain the situation of ledges or other hin- 
drances to navigation. 

. In 1800 its funds amounted to $5565 ; in 1820 to $11- 
522 ;— notwithstanding its many liberal donations to indi- 
gent members or their families. 

THE MERR1MAC HUMANE SOCIETY 

Was instituted in 1802. The first meeting was holder*. 
August 10th ot that year, at which byelaws were adopt- 
ed ; and the Society was organized by the choice of its 
officers the following month. It was continued by vol- 
untary association until 1804, when an act of incorpo- 
ration was obtained, authorizing the Society to hold 
property of the annual amount of one thousand dollars. 
The end and design of the association are declared in the 
act to be 4 for the recovery of persons, who meet witk 



41 

such accidents as produce in them the appearance of 
death, nnd for promoting the cause of.humanity, by pur- 
suing such means, from time to time, as shall have for, 
their object the preservation of hurpan life and the al~ 
levation of its miseries.' 

These humane and charitable purposes have been 
promoted by the Society in various ways. The vicini- 
ty of the river, and of a dangerous shore upon the sea- 
coast, have afforded it frequent occasion to be of use in 
accidents occasioned by water. The society procured 
a life-boat; grappling irons to take up the bodies of any 
person who should de drowned ; and fumigators, inflators, 
and an electrical machine, to be used in restoring sus- 
pended animation. These are deposited in convenient 
places to be accessible as occasion requires. Tins Soci- 
ety imitated the Marine Society by erecting huts upon 
Plum island and on Salisbury beach for the resort of dis- 
tressed mariners ; and deposited in them necessaries for 
their immediate relief. But malicious persons, or oth i 
ers in idle sport, continued wantonly to injure and de- 
face the huts, and thjjs defeated the benevolent views of 
the Society, so that in 1325 only one of lb".m was stand- 
ing, and the Society determined not to er::t any more. 
The Society have also made it an object to take honor- 
able notice of any signal effort made use of by individ- 
uals to rescue persons from drowning, by the bes^ow- 
ment of medals, or small precuniary rewards, as a testi- 
mony of applause. 

The funds of the Society were obtained by subscrip- 
tion, and by collections made at the annual meetings 

In 1316 the Society subscribed two thousand dollars of 
its funds for the use of the Massachusetts Hospital for 
the Insane. 

It has been customary for the Society, until within a 
few years, to attend the delivery of an anniversary dis- 
course. The persons, who have officiated on these oc- 
casions, are Dr Bass, Rev. Joseph Dana, Daniel A. 
White, Rev. Samuel Gary, Rev. Samuel Spring, Michael 
Hodge jun. Dr Enoch Toppan, Ebenezer Mosely, Sam- 
uel L. Knapp, Rev. John Andrews, Rev. Daniel Dau-.j, 
Rev. James Morss, William B. Banister, Leverett Sallon- 
srtali, and Rev. George Otis. The last address was in IU (.Q, 

»4 



42 

THE FEMALE CHARITABLE SOCIETY, 

Was instituted June 8th, 1803. Its object is to make 
regular provision for the maintenance of female or- 
phans ; for their instruction in the principles of know- 
ledge, virtue, and religion ; and for their being employ- 
ed in such manner as mny prepare them for future use- 
fulness. — The associates, consisting entirely ot" ladies, 
were incorporated by act of March 15lh, 1805. From 
an account published by the Society in 1822 it appears 
that the original number of subscriber? was 127, who 
laid the foundations of a fund, which at that time amount- 
ed to §1510. T.his was obtained by donations, subscrip- 
tions, and collections at the anniversary meetings of the 
Society. The Society had received into its asylum, 
previous to 1 822, forty orphan females, whose, charac- 
ter and deportment after leaving the institution have 
been very honorable to its managers. The children 
now under the care of the Society are thirteen ia 
Bumber.* 

THE MERRIMAC BIBLE SOCIETY 

Was instituted by voluntary association, December 20lh 
1809, and incorporated by the legislature the ensuing 
February. Their object is to raise a fund to be appro- 
priated in procuring bibles of the common version, for 
distribution among those persons, in this commonwealth 
or elsewhere, who are destitute of the scriptures and 
cannot easily be supplied without such aid ; and to dis- 
tribute the bi.ble in other languages when deemed expe- 
dient. This Society have diligently performed the du- 
ties which they undertook, in proportion to the extent 
of their means, by distributing copies of the bible with- 
in the sphere of their knowledge and influence. 

In 1817 the society voted unanimously to become aux- 
iliary to the American Bible Society. It is customary 
for the society to have an annual meeting, at which a 
discourse is delivered, and reports made of the progress 
and condition of the institution. 



* For afuM account of the nature and objects of the Society, see the 
|ra«t »bov«i mentioned and Rev. S, P. Wilbams' Sermon, May 21 1*3* 



*3 

THE HOWARD BENEVOLENT SOCIETY 

Was formed February 13tb, 1818. The present num- 
bor of annual subscribers is 228, besides 26 life subscri- 
bers. The object of" the Society is to afford relief to 
the indigent in sickness or other distressed circumstan- 
ces. 

i 

THE INSTITUTION FOR SAVINGS 

Is a society of the most useful and laudable character, 
being established solely for the encouragement of thrift, 
industry, and economy among the laboring clases. Its 
design is to assist those, who are desirous of saving their 
money, but have not acquired sufficient to purchase 
bank stock or other public stocks, and who have not the 
knowledge or means requisite to enable them to employ 
their savings to advantage themselves, without the risk 
of loss. The trustees receive deposits as low in amount 
as one dollar, and pay an interest of five per cent to the 
depositors. The trustees receive no pay or emolument 
themselves ; but every five years the surplus income 
of the funds, if any, after deducting necessary expenses, 
is also to be divided. Depositors may either receive, 
their dividends semiannually, or suffer them to remain 
with the trustees and accumulate. This institution was 
incorporated in 1820. 

THE MARINE BIBLE SOCIETY 

Was instituted in 1822. Its object is the distribution 
of the scriptures among seamen alone. A plan is now 
on foot for uniting this association with the Merrimac 
Bible Society, which will probably be successful. 

There are other benevolent associations, which, be- 
ing auxiliary to larger bodies abroad, it is unnecessary 
to enumerate. And in addition to tho^e alreadv men- 
tioned, a class of associations exists, whose useful but un- 
obtrusive charity is entitled to the greatest respect. — 
They are the several parish-societies, consiHing of 
females, who assiduously watch over the welfare ot the 
industrious poor in their respective congregations, an«i 
aid them in sickness and want. 



44 



&BZ.I&XOUS SOCIETIES, 



There are seven religious societies in Newburyport, 
aamely, three of the congregational, two of the presby- 
terian, one of the episcopalian, and one of the bap- 
tist denomination : of each of which a separate account 
will be given in the order of time in which they were 
incorporated. 

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH 

Is the oldest religious society in Newburyport. The 
founders of it experienced some opposition from over- 
zealous persons of the congregational form of worship 
in' the neighborhood; but at length, in 1711, they 
erected a building, called, in honor of the reigning prin- 
cess, Queen Anne's Chapel. It stood on what is called 
the Plains in Newbury, on a spot now used as a 
burying ground, about three miles frjom the present 
chnrch. 

The members of the society immediately* sent to 
England for a pastor ; and the Rev. Mr. Lampton was 
appointed to officiate in their church, as a missionary, 
by the English Society for Propagating the Gospel. Mr. 
Lampton came here in 1711 and remained until 1714. 

He was succeeded by the Rev. Henry Lucas, a mis- 
sionary from the same Society, who arrived in 1715. 
He continued to officiate until 1720, when he died. M e 
is reputed to have been a very active and faithful preach- 
er ; and highly useful to the cau«e of his church. 

His parishioners remained without any regular cler- 
gyman until 1722, when the Rev. Matthias Plant ar- 
rived as missionary to Ne-vbury, and minister of the 
episcopal church. It increased very considerably un*. 



45 

tier his ministrations ; so that difficulties at length arose 
between his and the neigboring parishes on account ct" 
taxes ; which the latter claimed of the episcopalians 
within their limits. Mr. Plant applied to governor Shute 
for relief; and he promptly gave them a grant of immu- 
nity from taxation by the other parishes. This instru- 
ment is in the following words : — 

" Boston, 27th July, 1722. Whereas upon in/orma- 
tion from the Rev. Matthias Plant, minister of the church 
of England, Newbury, that several persons of that and 
the adjoining towns have professed themselves members 
of the said church, and accordingly have entered their 
names in their register-book; and that the Rt. Rev. the 
Bp. of London hath settled a minister amongst them, and 
that there is a very considerable congregation ; 1 do 
therefore order, that the persons, who have already de- 
clared, or shall hereafter declare, for the said establish- 
ed church, be peaceably allowed in their proceedings 
and must not be taxed or imposed upon for the support 
and maintenance of any other public worship in the said 
town or towns, wherein they shall inhabit : Ot" which 
all persons concerned are to take notice accordingly. 
" Given under my hand, Samuel Shute. 

*' To his majesty's justices of the peace for ) 
the county of Essex, or any one ot them. ^ 
w Attested, that this is the true form of the original, 
signed and granted by his excellency S. Shute, governor of 
New England, for the protection of the members of the 
church of England, in Newbury, and for such persons 
as shall enter their names into thp rpgiptor-book. 

Matthias Plant.'* 
In 1738 a new church was commenced on the spot 
occupied by the present building, and conpleted in 1742, 
which received the name of St. Paul's Church. Mr. 
Plant was invited to preach there ; which he did at first 
every other Sunday. But. soon afterwards the members 
of St. Paul's Church and he had a misunderstanding, in 
consequence of their desiring a younger minister; — and 
Mr. Plant ceased to officiate there for three years. — At 
length, however, their differences were accommodated, 
and Mr. Plant was inducted into the church in 1751. — 
He agreed to accept as an associate of Mr. Edward Bmi % 



46 

and to surrender to him a portion oi the salary which 
he received from England. 

Mr. Bass immediately went to London and was ordain- 
ed by Dr. Sherlock, then bishop of London. He return- 
ed in 1752 and commenced his pastoral labors as minis- 
ter of St. Paul's. 
In 1753 Mr. Plant died, in the 62d year of his age j 
'after which Mr. Bass took charge of both parishes, con- 
tinuing to officiate twice in each month, for some time, 
in the Chapel. But in 1766, the Chapel having be- 
come much decayed, and most of the worshippers resid- 
ing nearer to the other church, it was agreed that all 
should assemble at St. Paul's. 

Mr. Bass officiated as rector of this church fifty one 
veans. He was born at Dorchester in this State, Novem- 
ber 23d 1726, and graduated at Harvard College in 
;744. From this period until he received his roaster's 

degree he was engaged in the instruction of a school 

From 1747 until 1751 he resided at the College, attend- 
ing to the study of theology, and occasionally supplying 
vacant pulpits in the congregational churches. He was 
ordained in 1752, and entered upon the charge of St. 
Paul's Church the same year, as already stated. In 1789 
the university of Pennsylvania conferred on him the de- 
gree of docter in divinity. In 1796 he was unanimously 
elected, at a convention of the protestant episcopal 
church of Massachusetts, to be their bishop ; and was 
consecrated in Christ-Church May 7th 1797, by the bish- 
ops of Pennsylvania, New York, and Maryland. He 
was afterwards ©looted bishop of the episcopal churches 
in Rhode Island and New Hampshire. He died in this 
town September 10th 1803, in the 76th year of his age. 
He lived universally esteemed as ' a sound divine, a crit- 
ical scholar, an accomplished gentleman, and an exam- 
plary christian.' — He was remarkable in private life 
for his urbanity and serenity of temper, and his dis- 
charge of all the duties incumbent on him in his sever- 
al social relations ; and as a clergyman and diocesan was 
eminent for his faithful attention to all his official func- 
tions, by which he gained the affection of his people, 
and the veneration of the community. 

His society suffered from various and opposite cause* 



47 

faring the revolution ; but when peace was restored, it 
recovered from its embarrasments. A new chucrch 
was erected in 1800, upon the site of the old one, in 
which the society now worship. During the time oc- 
cupied in its erection, Irom April to October, they as- 
sembled in the church belonging to the second Presby- 
terian Society. In token ot gratitude for this favor, 
the episcopal church presented to that society a hand- 
some piece of plate. 

Bishop Bass, was succeeded by tbe present incumbent, 
the Rev. James Morss, who became rector of the church 
in November 1803. Priest's order were conferred on 
him in June 1804, by bishop Moore of New York.* 

THE FIRST RELIGIOUS SOCIETY 

In Newburyport was formed in 1725, out of the First 
Parish in Newbury. The following is a copy of the 
act of incorporation as found in the records of the 
Society. 

" At a Greate and Genaral Court or Assembley of hi« 
Majesties Prouince,of the Massachusetts Bay New-Eng- 
land, Held Nouember 3, 1726, Samuel Thaxter, Esq. 
from the Comity, of both Houses on the Petition of sev- 
aral Inhabitants of Newbury first Parish, Gauo in the 
following Report, viz. : 

" Pursuant td an order of the Genaral Court at thair 
Session in Nouember 1725, in answer to the Petition of 
the westerly part of the old Parish in Newbury order- 
ing us the subscriburs to view the scituation of the Pe- 
ticioners as well as the other part of the first Parish in 
Newbury, Espesially where the middle diuiding Line is 
Proposed and to hear the parties therein, Conferred 
and make Report thereon : 

In obediance to the said o#der upon the first day of 
Decembsr Curnt we Repaired to Newbury and hauing 
Notified the Persons Concernd, we Vewd the seuarall 
parts of the old Presinct and the Land of the new pro- 
posed Parish and Report a* follows, That the Lane call- 

* This account is derived from a printed Sermon delivered bj Rev, 
m. Moras in St. Paul's Church, Jan. 6tb, 1*11. 



4$ 

-ed Chandlers Lane shall be the diuiding Line betwee* 
the old and new Parishes, and to continue as the old or 
first Parish has alredy granted on the nineteenth of 
June 1722. But in as much as eight families that live 
near the said line and on the south side there of, viz. 
Edward Sargant, Jams Crocker. Isaac Hall, Joseph 
Srvazey, Stephen Presson, William Allen, John Green- 
life, jun. and Isaac Miricke have desired to be set to the 
New Parish, and som of them have been at charge in 
building the New Meeting House, the Comity are hum- 
bly of opinion that the said eight families with their e9r 
tats adjoyning shall be set or the new Parish during the 
Courts pleasure. Also where as there is a considrable 
number of families on the Northerly Side of the New 
Meeting House, that have entred thair decents against 
being joined to the New Parish, the Comity are of 
opinion that thay be joined to the New Parish, Pro- 
vided the said Parish do accomodate them with sutabel 
Pews, or Seats for thair reception, without thair being 
at any Charge therefor. December 8, 1725 : William 
Rogers, Daniel Epes, Samuel Thaxter, Thomas Choat, 
Spencer Phips. 

"In Counsel read and ordered that this Report be ac- 
cepted, and that the Land within the Bounds in the said 
Report Discribed, be sett of a distinct and seprate Pre- 
cinct, and that the lnhabitance thereof be vested with 
the powers and Priuileges that the Inhabitants of other 
-Precincts are Vested with : 

« In the House of Representatives Read and Concurd. 
Consented to 1 : William Dimmer." 

The Society were organized pursuant to this act in 
the winter of 1725-6, and made choice of Rev. John 
Lowell, (originally spelt Lowle,) for their pastor.— 
He was ordained January 19th, 172G. The parish vote 
fixing his salary was in the following words: 

" Voted that whereas we have made choice of and 
called the Rev. Mr. John Lowell to settle with us in 
the work of the ministry, for his encouragement to un- 
der take and ' ingage there in, we will pay him one 
hundred and thirty pounds per year in bills of credit 
or such other current passable money as shall be equiv- 
alent to one hundred and thirty pouudi of silver at six- 



4$ 

teen shillings per ounce, in case he shall settle with us 
in the ministry, and that we will add twenty pounds to 
his salary after two years from the date hereof, of like 
money, to be paid annually, so long as he the said Mr. 
John Lowell shall continue in the work of the ministry 
among us." 

" Voted, also, that we will provide a parsonage house, 
or give him two hundred pounds, in bills of credit, to 
enable him to provide a house for himself, on condition 
of his settling and continuing with us as above said, to 
be at his charge." 

In May 1727, it was voted to purchase a bell weigh- 
ing four hundred pounds. — And in the same year it ap- 
pears that the practice of ringing a bell at nine o'clock 
in 4he evening was commenced. 

In the parish records of this Society, votes are con- 
tinually occurring in respect to the schools, which were 
isnder the direction of the precinct. Some curious no- 
tices are to be met with concerning their first establish- 
ment in what afterwards became Newburyport. — Thus 
it was voted in 1730 that 

" Those scholars that do go to school to the school- 
master shall pay a groat a week ; and what that shall 
want to pay the school-master, the parish will make up, 
with wkat is raised in general." 

And at the same time it was voted that 

M The place where the school house shall stand shall 
be by Frog Pond, near two thirds of the way between 
Fish street and Queen street." 

Inl730, it was also voted, that 

"The school master shall have sixty pounds a year, 
with what is raised in the town in the general ; and 
that no children be sent to the school-master but what 
can read well in a psalter." 

In April 1733, occurs the following record of the 
mode of paying the taxes : 

" Voted, that the contribution shall be continued for 
this present year, and every man to write on the money 
he shall give in contribution, and all the money he 
shall give to be deducted out of his rate. 

" Voted, that what money is given in to the coitribu> 



60 

tion box, that is not written upon, i? given to Mr. Johi 
Lowell for this present year." 

Mr. Lowell died in 1767, deeply lamented by his pa- 
rishioners, whose affection and respect he had secured 
by faithful devotion to their service lor forty-two years. 
He was generous and hospitable in disposition, pecu- 
liarly amiable in all the social and. domestic relations, 
and distinguished as a sound scholar and exemplary di- 
vine. The tolerant and catholic spirit which he dis- 
played on doctrinal points gave him the reputation of 
inclining a little more to liberality of tenets than was 
usual among the clergy of his time, who still retained 
much of the rigid faith of their ancestors.* idis family 
wne of Welch extraction originally, and fixed them- 
selves at Newbury soon after its settlement. From 
thence the branch of it, to which he belonged, removed 
to boston, where he was born. His only child was John 
Lowell, afterwards eminent as a lawyer, statesman, and 
judge. 

In January, 1768, the church and parish voted to in- 
vite the Rev. Thomas Cary to become their minister. 
It was voted to give Mr. Car) 

" One hundred pounds a year, as salary, and also tha 
free contribution and use of the parsonage land," and 
that in case he accepted the call, he should be furnished 
with a suitable parsonage house. 

in July, 1788, Mr. Cary became disabled from regu- 
larly discharging his pastoral duties by a paralytic af- 
fection. In consequence of this an arrangement wag 
amicably made between him and the parish to their 
mutual satisfaction, by which, although his ministerial 
relation to them continued, yet they were released from, 
the payment of any salary, and he from the performance 
of parochial duties, except so far as the same should be. 
voluntary. 

Soon afterwards the Rev. John Andrews was invited 
to settle as a colleague with Mr. Cary; with a settle- 
ment salary of one hundred and fifty-six pounds. He ac- 
cepted the invitation and was ordained December 10th. 
1788. 

* Mr. Tucker's Funeral Sermon, 



51 

It fs mentioned in ihe newspaper of the day, that No- 
vember 6th. 1796, the church organ, built by Dr Josiah 
Leavitt of Boston, was put up in the meeting-house of 
thi« Society. 

The meeting-house in which the Society worshipped, 
situated near the centre of what is now Market square 
was abandoned, in 1801, and the new one erected in 
Pleasant-screet. The old one had long been very much 
decayed. In 1784 the Proprietors \oted ' To give the 
house as frugal a repair as will keep the weather from 
totally destroying it.' The Society continued to assem- 
ble in the old house, however, until September 26th. 
1801, when discourses were delivered there for the last 
time by Mr. Andrews, in the morning, and by Mr. Cary, 
in the afternoon. The new church was dedicated the 
ensuing Thursday. 

Mr. Cary died November 24th 1808. He was bom 
in Charlestown in this State, October 18th. 1745, and 
graduated at Harvard College in 1761. He was highly 
esteemed for his sound devotion, his judicious and in- 
structive pulpit discourses, and his faithful discharge of 
all his ministerial functions ; which were unhappily in- 
terrupted by disease at the prime of his life and mental 
faculties. 

Since the decease of Mr. Cary his colleague has con- 
tinued to be pastor of the Society. He is the only cler- 
gyman in Newburyport of the Unitarian persuasion; in 
which class of christians his Society are ranked. 

THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN SOCIETY 

Dates its origin to the year 1744. It consisted of per- 
sons who separated, about that time, from the first and 
third churches in Newbury, that is, Mr. Toppan's and 
Mr. Lowell's. They erected a house of worship in 
High street, in which they remained until 1756; when 
the present church in Federal street was built. 

The formation of the church took place in conse- 
quence of the preaching of Mr. Whitfield, who produc- 
ed so deep and extensive an ardor on the subjec of re- 
ligion during his residence in New-England. What ev- 
er may be thought of the peculiar opinion* of Mr. 



5S - 

Whitfield, certain it is that his eloquence as a preacfier 
was unrivalled ; and his zeal for the cause he taught of 
the highest character. The fruits of his ministration 
here were great and striking ; and the establishment of 
the Society under consideration afforded proof of the 
permanency of its effects.* 

This Society first worshipped under Mr. Joseph Ad- 
ams ; but in 1756 they were incorporated and settled 
the Rev. Jonathan Parsons, who continued their pastor 
until his death in 1776. He was born in West Spring- 
field and graduated at Yale college in 1749. In 1750 
he took charge of a church in Lyme; but his sentiments 
being changed by the preaching of Tennent and Whit- 
field, he was invited, on the recommendation of the lat- 
ter, to remove to Newbury, lie was a faithful pastor, 
a scholar of various learning, and a correct and ea- 
sy writer, as his printed writings attest. 

In 1743 the church began to be associated with oth- 
ers in Presbytery ; and regularly commissioners at- 
tended it ; but it did not formally adopt the constitution of 
the Presbyterian church in the United States until 1802, 
In 1772 Mr. Parsons became disabled by illness ; and 
application was made to the Rev. John Murray of Booth- 
bay to become his colleague. This call was repeatedly 
renewed ; but owing to various causes was not success- 
ful until 1781. 

Mr. Murray continued pastor of the Society until his 
death in 1793. He was born in 1742 in the county of 
Antrim in Ireland ; — and was educated in the university 
of Edinburgh. He came to America in 1761, and was 
settled in Philadelphia, and afterwards at Boothbay for 
thirteen years. He was a popular and zealous preach- 
er ; dignified in his manners; and exceedingly endeared 
to his people as a clergyman and a man. He had been 
deposed by the Philadelphia Presbytery, but was after- 
wards restored by another Presbytery, for the gross in- 
formality, if not injustice, of the original sentence. 

He was succeeded by Rev. Daniel Dana, who was or- 
dained in 1794, and continued in the pastoral charge of 

* His remans are interred under the church of this Society. 



53 

the Society until 1820, when he became president of 
Dartmouth college. 

Dr Dana was succeeded by the present pastor, the 
Rev. Samuel P. Williams, who was installed February 
8th 1821. 

In 1794 a part of this Society seceded on account of 
the settlement of Dr Dana, and formed the Second Pres- 
byterian Society. But it is remarkable that the latter 
has now called c him whom their fathers refused', and 
that through them he is restored to the scenes of hie 
early usefulness. 

In the year 1791 a part of the Society separ- 
ated and formed the Fourth Religious Society, and 
settled the Rev. Charles VV. Milton, as heieafter 
stated. In 1798 the differences between them and 
the parent congregation were amicably adjusted.* 

* Historical account of the First Presbyterian Church, by Rer. 
Samuel P- Williams. 

The following is the original agreement for the establishment 
of this church as given in Mr. Williams' discourse. 

4< We, the subscribing brethren, who were members of the 
first church in Newbury, and have thought it our duty to with 
draw therefrom, do also look upon it our duty to enter into a 
church estate, specially as we apprehend this may be for the glo- 
ry of Gou and the interest of the Redeemer's kingdom, as well 
as for our own mutual edification and comfort. 

We do, therefore, as we trust, in the fear of God, mutually 
covenant and agree to walk together as a church of Christ ao 
ording to the rules and order of the gospel. 

In testimony whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and. 
seals, this 3d day of Jan. A. D. 1746. 

Charles Pierce Benjamin Pierce 

Moses Bradstreet Daniel Noyes 

Edward Presbury Mager Goodwin 

John Brown Thomas Pike 

Richard Hall Daniel Wells 

Benjamin Knight Joseph Hidden 

William Brown Nathaniel Atkinson, jr, 

Jonathau Plume r Daniel Goodwin 

Silvanus Plum<. r Samuel Hall 
Gutting PeUingell. 

■ 5 



54 

THE THIRD RELIGIOUS SOCIETY 

is distinguished, in the early records, by the name of 
the proprietors and other persons attending public 
worship at the north meeting house in Newburyport^ 
and subsequently as the north congregational Society. 
They separated from the First Religious Society by 
amicable agreement in 1767; and the church of the 
latter, in token of harmony of feeling/ voluntarily con- 
sented that the new church should have a portion of the 
church plate according to their respective numbers. 

They immediately erected a meet-house in Titcomb- 
street, and at their first meeting, holden October 3d 
1763, invited the Rev. Christopher B. Marsh to be their 
minister. He was ordained in the same month, and con- 
tinued to be pastor of the Society until December 1773. 
He was the son of Daniel Marsh of Boston, and sustain- 
ed a high character, as a scholar and a clergyman. But 
unhappily he died prematurely, in the prime of his life 
and usefulness, at the age of 30. 

The Society remained without any settled clergy- 
man until 1777, the pulpit being supplied during that 
time by occasional application to various individuals.—. 
In 1777 the Society concurred unanimously with the 
church in giving an invitation to Rev. Samuel Spring 
to become their pastor. He consented and was ordain- 
ed in August 1777. 

Dr Spring was born in Northbridge in this state Feb- 
ruary 27th. 1746. His father was an opulent farmer, 
and gave him the benefit of a public education at Nas- 
sau Hall, New-Jersey, where he graduated in 1771. — 
He spent eight months there as a theological student 
under the instruction of the celebrated Dr Witherspoon, 
and completed his course under Drs Hopkins, Bellamy, 
and West. In 1774 he was licensed to preach ; and in 
1775, having joined the continental army as chaplain, 
he followed gen. Arnold as a member of the volunteer 
corps, which made the disastrous expedition to Canada. 
The energy of his character was fully developed in this 
calamitous enterprise, which was attended with the 
most extreme hardship, and entirely failed of success. — - 
His example and exhortations were eminently useful in 



55 

encouraging the troops, and enabling them to sustain 
the manifold hardships of a winter's march through 
pathless forests. 

At the close of 1776 he left the army, and began to 
preach in this town at the beginning of the next year. 
He continued to discharge his pastoral duties with un- 
common zeal until within a iew weeks of his death, 
which happened March 4th. 1819. 

Whatever difference of opinion there may be in re- 
spect to the peculiar political anJ religious tenets of 
Dr Spring, all must admit that he supported them with 
great ardor and ability. His decision of character and 
'.ntensity of purpose necessarily gave him considerable 
influence among those of his religious persuasion. Sev- 
eral institutions may trace their establishment in no 
small degree to his exertions. Among these are Greene- 
ville College in Tennessee, the Massachusetts Mission- 
ary Society, and the Foreign Mission. And there is no 
individual, to whose influence the Theological Semina- 
ry at Andover is more indebted for its being than Dr 
Spring. 

Subsequent to the great fire in Newburyport, he dis- 
tinguished himself by undertaking a journey to the 
southern part of the United States to collect contribu- 
tions for the sufferers by that event. 

Beside a number of occasion •! sermons, he published 
a Dialogue on Duty and a volume of Disquisitions.* 

Dr Spring was succeeded by the present pastor, the 
Rev. Luther F. Dimtnick, who was ordained December 
8th 1819. He, as well as each of his predecessors, was 
called and settled by a unanimous vote of the Society. 

The meeting-house of this congregation being very 
much decayed, they determined, in May last, to con- 
struct a new church, on the site of the old one, which 
will soon be completed. 

THE FOURTH RELIGIOUS SOCIETY 

Was incorporated in 1794. The meeting-house, in 
which they worship, in Temple-street, was commenc- 
ed June 15th 1793, and completed the same year. 

'* Dr Woods Sermon on the death of Dr Spring, 



5S 

The church originated in an association of individu- 
als, chiefly members of the First Presbyterian Society, 
who separated therefrom in 1791 to attend the minis- 
try of the Rev. Charles W. Milton. They first met 
and worshipped in the house in Milk-street, now occu- 
pied by Mr. Jonathan Mors?, a part of which was then 
fitted up as a meeting-house. 

Mr. Milton was born in England and educated on the 
foundation of the countess of Huntington. After preach- 
ing as a missionary at St. John's in New-Brunsvvic, he 
came to this country ; and his preaching proving ac- 
ceptable to a considerable body of persons in this town, 
gave rise, as before stated, to the establishment of the 
Fourth Religious Society. He still continues pastor 
of it. 

In 1301 the Society had become so numerous, that it 
was found necessary to enlarge the meeting-house. 

The church government of the Society is agreeable, 
in most respects, to the congregational form ; and they 
are usually classed in that order of christians. But they 
do not consider themselves subject to any ecclesiastical 
council, and are therefore denominated an independent 
Society. 

THE SECOND PRESBYTERIAN SOCIETY 

Was formed in 1795, by the association of a number of 
persons for attending the ministry of the Rev. John 
Boddily. They voluntarily supported Mr. Boddily for 
sixteen months, paying him at the rate of three hundred 
and forty dollars per annum, and meeting for worship 
in the old town-house. In June 1 796 they commenced 
building a meeting-house in Harris street, which was 
completed in that year. 

They were then incorporated by the legislature ac 
cording to the provisions of the act governing the other 
Religious Societies in the town. 

The first meeting of the Society was holden May 3d 
1797, at which it was voted to give Mr. Boddily a call 
as stated pastor of the Society, and to pay him a yearly 
salary of five hundred dollars. It was voted to collect 
the salary by public contribution to be paid in equal 



57 
• 
proportions on the first Lord's day of every month, each 
person contributing to mark his name on his money, and 
to be credited for the same towards his tax by the col- 
lector. The invitation to Mr. Boddily was give with- 
out a single dissenting voice, and he was publicly instal- 
led as minister of the church and Society June 28th 
1797. 

Mr. Boddily died November 4th 1802, aged 47. He 
was born in England, and educated at the countess of 
Huntington's College. After prpaching at VVestbury in 
Wiltshire, and Wallingford in Westmoreland, he emi- 
grated to this country, and soon formed a congregation 
in Newburyport. 

In April 1803, immediately after the death of Mr. 
Boddily, the Society invited the Rev. John Giles to be- 
come their pastor. He accepted the invitation and was 
installed July 20th of the same year. He continued to 
be pastor of the Society upwards of twenty one years, 
dying September 28th 1824 aged 66. 

Mr. Giles was born and educated in England. He 
commenced the ministry at the age of 19, and was for 
nine years pastor of a dissenting church in Wellington, 
Somersetshire. Feeling 4 a strong partiality to the 
free constitution and republican principles' of our govern- 
ment, he left the congregation in Wellington, designing 
to make this country his home. He yielded, however, 
to the solicitations of his friends in Exeter to take charge 
of a church there for a time ; after which, in 1798, he 
came to America. On his arrival here, he preached 
first in Trumbull in Connecticut and afterwards in Eliz- 
abethtown in New Jersey. He declined an invitation 
unanimously given him by a society in Elizabethtown to 
become their pastor ; and returning to Trumbull, was 
their minister for abeut two years: — From whence, at 
the invitation of the First Presbyterian Society, he re- 
moved to Newburyport.* 

In August 1824 the Rev. William Ford was ordained 
as a colleague with Mr. Giles ; and continued minister 
of the Society until February 1826, when he resigned 
the pastoral charge on account of his health. 

* Rev, S. P Williams' Funeral Sermon October 1$24 - 



58 

In March 1826 the Society invited the Rev. Dr Dan- 
iel Dana, formerly of Nevvburyport and then of London- 
derry, to become their pastor. He was accordingly set- 
tled, to remain in the pastoral relation to the Society 
so long as should be mutually acceptable to the parties, 
the party desiring a charge to assign reasons satisfacto- 
ry to the Presbytery or a proper council. 

In 1822 this Society adopted the practise, which they 
still follow, of collecting all their parochial taxes by an 
assessment on the pews of the church. A portion of 
the parish tax, in the other Societies in Newburyport, 
is assessed on property. 

THE FIRST BAPTIST SOCIETY 

In Newbury and Newburyport, was incorporated in 
February 1811. Many years previous to that time, so 
far back indeed as 1804, a number of persons of the 
baptist persuasion met and were formed into a church. 
The first meeting for public worship was July 22d 1804, 
when Mr. Joshua Chase of Newbury officiated. He 
preached for the church until June 1805, when he was 
ordained as an evangelist,. and went elsewhere. 

The members of the Society assembled at two sepa- 
rate places in Newbury until December, 1805, m when 
they united, and had but one place of worship, and that 
in Newburyport. 

In August 1805 they invited the Rev. John Peake of 
Barnstable to be their pastor; and he acceded to the 
invitation. 

In 1809 a brick meeting-house was erected in Lrber- 
ty street for the use cf the Society. This building 
was untortunately consumed in the great fire ; and a 
new one was constructed in 1812 in Congress-street. — 
The funds for the construction of it were obtained fey 
the zeal and indefatigable exertions of the Rev. Mr. 
Peake, in procuring donations from the benevolent and 
charitable in various parts of the United States. 

In 1818 Mr. Peake, at his request, was unwillingly 
granted a dismission from the pastoral care of the Soci- 
ety. He i< now settled as the minister of a baptist So- 
cietv in Hvannis. 



59 

He was succeeded by the Rev. Hosea Wheeler. — 
Mr. Wheeler was' born at Dunbarton, N. H. March 3th 
1791. He was graduated at Dartmouth College, which 
he entered in 1807. In 1817 he joined the baptist 
church and in 1818 was ordained as pastor of the Bap- 
tist Society in Newhuryport. In May 1822 he received 
an invitation to become minister of a baptist church at 
Eastport ; and in consequence soon afterwards asked and 
received a reluctant dismission from the Society in 
New bury port. He died at Eastport in January 1823. 

In 1822 the Rev. Josiah Houghton, formrly minister 
of a church in Readfield in Maine, began to preach for 
the Society and became their pastor in the spring of 
the ensuing year ; and they still continue under hif 
charge. 



6§ 



MASONIC BODIES. 



Newburyport has long been known by its zeal fo? 
the order of free masonry. The prosperity and' re- 
spectability of the fraternity in this place are mainly at- 
tributable, in the first instance, to the exertions of Dr 
John B. Svvett, who settled in the town about the close 
of the revolutionary war. He was distinguished as an 
ardent mason, not less than for his genius, his education 
and science, his generous feelings and his social habits. 
It is said he was initiated into the mysteries of the Illu- 
minati in Germany ; but however this may be, cer- 
tain it is, that he gave the weight of his character and 
influence to the establishment of masonry in Newbury- 
port, and succeeded in a remarkable manner. The in- 
troduction of the higher degrees is owing, in a consider- 
able measure, to his efforts. Since then the best names 
in this community may be found in the masonic order. 

St. John s Lodge is the oldest in town. Its charter 
is dated 1766 ; but there are no records of its meetings 
until 1781. The masters have been Nathaniel Tracy, 
John Tracy, Stephen Hooper, Michael Hodge, Gilman 
White, Seth Sweetser, Edward Little, Dr Jonathan G. 
Johnson, Nathan Chase, Dr Richard S. Spofford, Dr 
Dean Robinson, John Andrews jr. and Thomas B. White. 

St. Peter's Lodge, was chartered under the lament- 
ed general Warren, then Provincial Grand Master, 
March 12th 1772. 

The masters have been John Brooks, Jonathan 
Boardman, William Greenough, Edward Rand, Moses 
Greenleaf, Jonathan Gage, Joshua Greenleaf, Stephen 
Howard, Abraham Perkins, David Coffin, Amos Toppan, 
Edward Dorr, Eleazer Johnson, Benjamin Whitmore s 






£»noch Piumroer Jr. Joseph George, and Francis 
Some r by. 

St. Mark's Lodge was chartered in \Si -."A . 
crated July 11th 1804. It is now the largest Lodg 
the town, consisting of 113 members., lis masters "have 
been William Weed, William Francis, William Chase, 
John Moody, William Knapp, John Cook jr. Wiliiam 
Currier, and Ebenezer Bradbury. 

A Chapter, called King Cyrus 9 Royal Arch Chapter, 
*.vas instituted in Newburyport in 1790. The first offi- 
cers were H. Duplessis, Jonathan Boardman, Jonathan 
Gage, andDr John B. Swett. The grand masters pre- 
Pious to 1G0O have been H. Duplessis. Dr J. B. Swett, 
Dudley A. Tyng, Joshua Greenleaf. In 1708 the 
Grand Chapter of the Northern States was established. 

A Council of Select Masters was organized in May 
V322. ~ J 

The Encampment of Knights Templars was duly or- 
lized in 1795. A number of knights had previously 
d conferred the degrees j but there was then no 
body acknowledged as a General Encampment 
Ihe New-England Slates. The principal members 
at that time were Dr Swett, Dudley A. Tyno-, Jonathan 
Gage, Joshua Greenleaf, Nathaniel Knapp, William Wy- 
er. , one I Cutler. Thev were afterwards joined 

by Abraham Perkins, Samuel Mulliken, Cliarles Jack- 
son, Jacob Perkins, William Woarl, Edward Dorr and 
ers; and uniting with Encampments from various 
;> 7 .ace3 in Massachusetts and Rhode-Island, established a 
'mipment for the two States, under the juris- 
ion oi the General Grand Encampment of the Unit- 
ed SI IPs. They were organized by a charter from 
thai body, and have regularly held their meetings to 
the present time. 

A Consistory has recently been established at New- 
buryport, in which all the higher degrees of mabonry 
are conferred. 

An association of the masonic bodies has fitted up a 
Blasonic Hall in Newboryport, in a style of uncommon 
taste, elegance, and liberality, with appropriate furn5- 
lureaad ornaments, of the greatest beauty. 

F 



6S 



EDUCATION. 



THE expenditures of the town of Newburyport for 
ihe advancement of public education have never ceased 
to be fully in proportion to its pecuniary means. — 
Without bringing into view the noble public donations, 
ivhich some of its citizens have bestowed upon literary 
institutions abroad, the assertion can be established by 
reference mereiy to the ordinary charges of the public 
and private schools taught in town. 

THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS 

For males in Newburyport are four, one grammar 
school and three writing schools. 

The grammar school, in common with other schools 
of the same kind in other parts of the state, has suffer- 
ed much by the establishment of academies. When all 
classes, the rich as well as the poor, depended upon it 
for the classical instruction of their children, it was an 
object of more general solicitude, and its character stood 
higher, than when they looked to another place for the 
primary edu ation of youth. — But efforts are now mak- 
ing to incren^e its usefulness, from which better things 
arc got id ited. 

Of the three writing schools, one has for several years 
been taught according to the system of mutual instruc- 
tion ; and the others have recently been conformed more 
or less completely to the sume plan. The centre and 
the south school houses were purposely erected with 
a view to that system; and contain every convenience 
for giving it a fair and full trial. 

By an act of the legislature passed the present year, 



03 

it was made the duty of the school committee of each 
town to render an account of the state of public and 
private primary instruction. From the returns of the 
school committee of Newburyport, it appears that the 
sum annually paid for the instruction merely of the plib- 
lic schools is §2939. The number o4 children attending 
the public schools is 559 males, and 510 females, in all 
1069. Besides those, 33 private schools are taught ia 
town, containing 10 pupils of both sexes, the cost of 
whose tuition is $4526. 

These calculations were made independently o[ the 
Newburyport Academy, which, being placed in New- 
bury, was comprehended in the school returns of the 
latter town. 

Other institutions for education deserve notice ; of 
which the following are the most important. 

THE NEWBURYPOUT ACADEMY, 

Although situated in the town of Newbury, owes its or- 
igin and support chiefly to citizens of Newburyport. \t 
was incorporated in 1807. It is now fn a prosperous 
condition, the male apartment, under the instruction of 
Mr. Alfred VV. Pike, being full, and containing about for*' 
tv pupils. 

THE PUTXAM SCHOOL, 

For tRe endowment of which a large legacy was re- 
cently left to the town by the late Mr. Oliver Putnam, a 
native and formerly a citizen of N ewburvport, promises 
to have the most important influence upon our system 
of public education. 

Oliver Putnam was born at Newburyport in 1778 

His father was a mechanic, and was able to give him 
nothing but a common school education. But his nat- 
ural talents were of the first order; and having attained 
independence at an early age by successful commercial 
speculations, he devoted himself to the assiduous culti- 
vation of his intellect. His constitution was unfortu- 
nately feeble ; which prevented his becoming fixed in 
any particular occupation; and compelled him, for the ad- 
vantages of a change of climate, to travel in various 
parts of Europe and America, Had it been- otherwise, 



;&e independence and integrity of his character, his 
sound judgment, his profound practical knowledge, his 
unimpeachable morals, and his intimate acquaintance 
with the science of politics and political economy, 
would soon have fastened upon him the the public eye, 
and raised him to posts of honor and distinction. But 
his ill health forbad, and confined the benefit of his su- 
perior qualities to the circle of his acquaintance. 

During the latter half of his life, he mads Boston his 
place of abode, although passing much of his time on a 
farm belonging to him in Bampstead, where he 
died, July 1 ith 1828. He was never married. By his 
will, which is dated July 11th 1825, and was proved af 
the Probate Court in the county of Suffolk, August 14th 
1326, after making liberal provision for his kindred, 
who are all collateral, he makes the devise above men- 
tioned in the following terms : 

4 To the said executors* 1 bequeath and devise in trust 
the residue of my property, real and personal, to ac- 
cumulate by the addition of the income or interest as 
received to the principal, till my nephews arrive of age ? 
and then to be disposed of as follows.- 

The will then provides for the payment of a legacy 
to each of his three nephews ; and concludes thus : 

1 These three legacies to my nephews are to be with 
out interest, and to be void should they not live to ar« 
live at twenty one years. 

i The residue of my property I give and bequeath fm 
the establishment and support of a free English schoo/ 
in Newburyport, for the instruction of youth wherever 
they may belong, and the executors will, if at the final 
payment of the foregoing legacies it should amount to 
fifty thousand dollars, pay it over as hereafter pro 
ed ; but if, at that time, it should not amount to thai 
cum, the executors will retain it to accumulate till it 
does, and then pay it over to Trustees for that purpose 
to be appointed by the Selectmen of Newburyport. — ■ 
After the appointment of the first Trustees, vacancies 
in their board to be filled by nomination from them, sub- 



* Messrs Aaron Baldwin of Boston, and Edwafkl S. Rand and Caleb 
Cashing of Newburyport, arc named executors in the will. The two 
first having declined acting, tke trust kaa devolved upon th« author of 
diis account 



65 

ject to the approval of said Selectmen, who besides are 
always and at all times to have and exercise the right 
of visitation, for the purpose of looking to the security 
of the funds, and that the interest or income of them is 
applied according to the bequest. In the selection of 
Trustees, no reference is to be had to their places of 
residence, but only to their qualification for the trust. 

' The Trustees are to invest the principal in good and 
sufficient securities, bearing interest or producing in- 
come to the satisfaction of the said Selectmen, to be 
and remain a permanent fund, the interest or income 
only of which to be applied to the establishment and 
support of the school. The youth to be instructed in 
reading, writing, and arithmetic, and particularly in the 
English language, and in those branches of knowledge 
nec.essary to the correct management of the ordinary af- 
fairs of life, whether public or private, but not in the 
dead languages. The monitorial system of instruction 
to be introduced and used, so far as it may be found on 
experience that it can be done with advantage.' 

Such are the provisions of the will in regard to this 
munificent foundation. Should the institution be estab- 
lished under favorable auspices, it cannot fail to prove 
a signal public blessing.' The beautiful and salubrious 
situation of Newburs'port, — its freedom from the evils of 
too close proximity to any city united with the easy 
communication between it and the great capitals of the 
country, — and (ho economy of living among its inhabi- 
tants, present a body of striking advantages for the loca- 
tion of a seminary of education. And the school, 
which the wise and benevolent testator contemplated, is 
evidently one peculiarly necessary in the present limes, 
when men are acquiring increased conviction of the su- 
perior value of practical educatiou, over that handed 
down to us from a iess intelligent age. 

THE SUNDAY SCHOOLS 

Were established under the care of the Sabbath School 
and Tract Society. This Society was originally de- 
signed for the distribution of religious tracts; I ut now 
discharges the additional duty of. superintending the 
f6 



Sunday schools. These were commenced in i$17. and 
were composed of children of both sexes from all the 
religious societies in town, to the number of about six 
hundred. It has been regularly continued ever since 
during the summer months ; and the average number at- 
tending has been four hundred. The whole number in- 
structed in the school, from 1317 to 1825, was 124!}, 
namely, 528 males, 721 females. Other schools in the 
-vicinity of the town are under superintendance of the 
fame Society, making the whole number who have re- 
ceived their instruction, in all the schools, about 1600. 

DUMMER ACADEMY 

Although it is not strictly speaking embraced within 
the scope of this work, yet is located so near to New- 
buryport that an account of it may not be deemed mis- 
placed here. 

It was founded by the munificence of William Dum- 
mer, at his country seat in the parish of By tie Id in the 
town of Newbury, about four miles from Newburyport. 

The name of Dummer is among the oldest and most 
respectable in Massachusetts. Richard Dummer was one 
of the fathers of the Colony. He emigrated in 1635 and 
was chosen a member of the court of assistants, in which 
he served for several years : — after which he retired to 
his estate in Newbury, and greatly contributed by his 
wealth and liberality to the growth of By field parUh.-^- 
His farm descended in his family to William Dummer, 
who was appointed lieutenant governor of the Province 
in 1716. In 1730 he retired from this office and soon 
afterwards from all public employments, living to a 
good old age in the enjoyment of the respect of his co- 
temporaries. He filled the governor's chair at two 
several periods, seven years in all, and his administra- 
tion was esteemed eminently wise and just. 

At his decease he de.vHed all his estate in Newbury, 
consisting in part of the origin il Dummer farm, 1o 
Charles Chauacey, Thomas Foxcraft and Nathaniel 
Dummer, for the erection of a school-house and the en- 
dowment of a free grammar school upon the farm.— 
The school was established there accordingly in 1763. 
By the will the election of a preceptor was vested in 



$7 
1 

the minister of BySeld parish for the time being and a 
committee of the parish chosen for that purpose ; and 
he was immoveable by the government of Harvard col- 
lege. In H82 Dr Chauncey, being the sole .surviving 
executor of the will, deemed it necessary to obtain an 
act of the legislature appointing perpetual trustees to 
receive and manage the fund and superintend the insti- 
tution. The first board of trustees were Jeremiah Pow- 
ell Benjamin Greenleaf, Jonathan Greenleaf, Rev. Jo- 
seph Willard, Pres. of Harvard College, Rev. Charles 
Chauncev, Rev. Moses Parsons, Rev. John Tucker, Rer. 
Thomas Car/, Samuel Moody, the Preceptor, William 
Powell, Dr Micajah Sawyer, Dummec Jewel*, Samuel 
Osgood, Nathaniel Tracy, an 1 Richard Dummer.— . 
They were incorporated by the name of the Trustees 
o/ Dummer Academy ; and they and their successors 
have had the direction of the Academy to the present 

' ^'s a classical grammar school Dummer Academy has 
deservedly held a high rank; and many celebrated per- 
sons in church and state have commenced their public 
education in its rural seclusion. At the present time, 
its Trustees have thought that the Academy might be 
of greater service to the public, if converted into a 
school of practical and agricultural instruction, than as 
a school for instruction in the languages. Applications 
have repeatedly been made to the legislature for aid in 
such a laudable enterprise ; but although all men admit 
that the exigencies of society require an institution of 
this kind and to Dummer farm presents the greatest 
facilities for its establishment, yet a too cautious policy 
has induced the legislature to refuse the assistance 
praved for. Some little jealousy, too, seemed to betray 
itself in certain quarters, towards an institution situated 
so near ' the hem of the state,' as its location was rath- 
er scornfully described by the opponents of the plan. 
* The first preceptor of the Academy was Samuel 
Moody, who continued to have charge of it until 1739. 
He attained great celebrity for his talents as a teacher 
and the originality of his character. When the act in- 
corporating the trustees of the Academy was passed, a 
section was inserted securing to him ail the rights \iQ 



68 



enjoyed under the original foundation, and making him 
in fact independent of the Trustees. Under his care the 
Academy was for a long time the most flourishing in 
the country ; — and the respectability, in after life, of ma- 
ny oi' his pupils has perpetuated the name of master 
Moody* 

Since then the instructers have been 

Rev. Isaac Smith, elected in 1790, 
Dr Benjamin Allen, 1809, 

Rev. Abiel Abbott, 1811, 

Hon. Samuel Adams, 1819, 

Mr. Nehemiah Cieavelandj 182-1, 

Trho is the present preceptor. 



MTTBRAXMT ASSOCXA^SOM & 



THE JVEWBURYPORT ATHEjYJEUM 

Was incorporated in 1310. The object of the founders, 
is declared in the act of* incorporation, was to establish 
• a repository for valuable and rare productions in the 
various arts, sciences, and polite literature, and {or col 
iecting the most important tracts, pamphlets, an:! doc 
aments, illustrative of the natural and civil history o; 
our country, of the genius, policy, and laws of the g 
eral and str.te governments, and of the manners, cus 
toms, and interests of the American people.'' — The r 
prietors laid the foundations of a respectable library 
which has received occasional additions by dbnatioi 
purchase. — But institutions of this kind are best fitted 
for a numerous and wealthy community, because in any 
others, the accumulation of valuable books arast be toe 
expensive to proceed with much rapidity by means of 
the intrinsic resources of the inhabitants. — For this rea 
son the present state of the Athenreum probably is noi 
equal to the plan or expectations of its founders. 

THE FRAjXKLLY LIBRARY 

Was instituted in 1812, by an association of respectable 
mechanics, whose chief object at that time was to raise 
a joint fund for the purchase of Ree's Cyclopaedia. — 
Upon this foundation a library was begun, which has 
gradually increased. The association is a praiseworthy 
instance of the cultivation of a taste for knowledge 
among a class of men, whose . weight and value in the 
community a>;e daily rising in publir estimation, 






THE NEWBUFLYPORT DEBATING SOClET'F 

Was originally instituted January 5th 1321, by a num- 
ber of gentlemen desirous to improve in declamation 
and extemporaneous discussion. At the first meeting 
suitable regulations for the conduct of the Society were 
adopted, and they continued to meet weekly for the 
purposes of" their institution. 

In Apri» 1821 the numbers and respectability of the 
Society having much increased, it was found necessary 
to adopt a new set of bye laws, more complete and sys- 
tematic in their nature. 

This year the Society as a body commenced the 
practice of celebrating the anniversary of American in- 
dependence, which they have continued until now, with 
but one yearns intermission. Their meetings were sus- 
pended July 4th, until the next autumn. 

The Society continued to meet through the winter 
and spring of 1821-2, and until the close of January 
-3, when it was dissolved, for the purpose of estab- 
lishing a new one of a more popular and public de- 
scription. The new Society consisted not merely of 
persons desirous to engage in its regular exercises, but 
of a large number of others, who joined as auditors only. 
In December 1824, in consequence of the dispersion 
of some of the active members of the Society, and oth- 
er causes, it was dissolved, ; and a new ono formed of a 
private nature, similar to the original Society ; which 
having undergone occasional changes in its constitution 
and members, now exists. 

The Society has chosen, for orators on the fourth of 
July, 

Caleb dishing, in 1821, 

Robert Cross, in . 1822, 

George C. Wilde, in 1823, 

NehemiahCleaveland, in 1824, 
John Merrill, in 1826. 

This Society has proved of eminent advantage to ma- 
ny persons, who have participated in its exercises ; aid 
its example is sufficient to demonstrate the utility of 
such institutions, when properly conducted. The pop- 
ular character of our government renders the accom* 



71 

plishment of extemporaneous oratory peculiarly valua- 
ble, not only to professional men, but to all, who feel 
a lively interest, and take a prominent part, in the pro- 
gress of national, state, or municipal affairs. — And a well 
regulated debating society is an excellent school of in- 
struction and experience in this important qualification. 

THE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION 

Was formed in 1818. It consists of physicians, who 
united for the purpose of promoting regularity in the 
practice of their profession, and communicating medical 
information, and in other respects aiding the cause of 
medical science. 

THE NEWBURYPORT UjVjVEAJV SOCIETY 

Was instituted in 1820, by a number of gentlemen, 
whose object was to promote the study of natural his- 
tory and antiquities, by making a collection of minerals, 
and other curiosities. — Their design has proved so far 
successful, that they possess a cabinet of considerable 
value, which is gradually acquiring new specimen^, 
chiefly by donations. 



MILITIA, 



IN 1810 the town of Newbu.yport contained a fall 
regiment of militia ; but in consequence of the reduc . 
lion of the population, the citizens were reorganized in 
1817 into a battalion, commanded by a lieutenant col- 
onel. For this purpose the town is divided into three 
ward-*, each ward furnishing a company of infantry. In 
addition to these bodies, thera are two volunteer com- 
panies, the Newburyport Artillery Company, and the 
Washington Light Infantry Company ; all which together 
pose the organized militia of Newburyport. 
The Nnwburyport Artillery Company is nearly cce_ 
Tal with our national independence, and one of the old. 
est military corps in the Commonwealth. It was form- ' 
to ih winter of 1777-8 and in July 1778 marched 
S3 volunteers in the expedition to Rhode Island, where 
they remained in service until the unsuccessful termina- 
tion of that enterprise. 

Its first officers were Thomas Thomas, captain j Ba- 
ttel Coates, captain lieutenant, 'hen so called; and Mi- 
chael Hodge first, and Samuel Newhall second, lieuten- 
ant. The company consisted of about eighty men, and 
were armed with i.mskets and two four pounders, one 
of brass and one of iron, which they received from the 
State in Boston en their march. These pieces were ex- 
changed in 1793 for two beautiful six pounder?, which 
they still piv c sess. In 1735 Michael Hodge was elected 
captain, Benaiah Tiicomb captain lieutenant, and Will- 
iam Cross and Enoch Gieenleaf lieutenants. 

In 1791 a regiment was ordered to be formed of the 
artillery of the county of Es^ex, and at a meeting of the 
officers at Ipswich, captain Hodge was elected colonel. 
But before- this -organization could ba fully completed, 



73 

a different arrangement of the Artillery Companies in 
the south part of the county was concluded upon ; and 
the Company remained, uutil 1794, not attached to any 
regimental corps. 

In 1792 the company was newly organized, and Wil- 
liam Cross was elected captain, and Enoch Greenleaf 
and Samuel Brown lieutenants. 

In 1794 a battalion was formed of this and another 
company at Amesbury, and captain Cross was promoted 
to its command. This organization has continued to 
the present time. 

In 1801 the Company, at an expense to themselves of 
about $600, erected a handsome and spacious gun-house. 

After the disbandment of the sea-fencibles, a volun- 
teer Company formed during the last war, the gun- 
house erected for their accommodation was assigned by 
the Quarter Master General to the Artillery Company. 
The old gun-house has since been refitted by the town 
for public military uses 

In 1820 the Company furnished themselves with ser- 
viceable camp equipage, and have since annually per- 
formed tours of camp duty through the various towns 
of the brigade. 

In 1824 they participated in the military honors rend- 
ered La layette. 

The gentlemen, who have successively held the office 
of captain, since the year 1794, are Enoch Greenleaf, 
Jonathan Stickney, Benjamin Somerby, Thomas Burrill, 
James Totter, Joseph Hoyt, Richard Hunnewell, Jere- 
miah Batchelder, Samuel Coffin, Ebenezer Bradbury, 
and Enoch Fierce, who *s the present commander.* 

The Washington Light Infantry Company, was rais- 
ed in 1800, by virtue of a resolve of the General Court 
passed that year. On the 15th of April they made 
choice of Abraham Perkins, Nicholas Tracy, and Charles 
Jackson for th^ir commissioned officers. Their first 
public appearance took place July 24th 1800, which 
day has since then been observed as the Company's an- 
niversary. The gentlemen, who have held the commis- 

* rhe author, is indebted to maj. Ebenezei Bradbury for the above 
account of the Artihery Companv. 

G 



74 

sion of captain in the company down to the present time, 
are Abraham Perkins, Samuel W. Thompson, Nicholas 
Johnson jr., Paul Titcomb, Charles H Balch, £leazer 
Johnson jr., Philip Johnson jr., Jeremiah P. Toppan, and 
"Wiiiiam B. Tiicomb. 

in 1824 during the war, the Company performed 
guard duty at the barracks on Plum Island as volun- 
teers. 

In July 1807 the Company received President Mon- 
roe, and escorted him into the town. 

In August 1817 the regiment of which the Company 
formed a part, and v\\{\\ it the Company, being dis- 
banded, a new charter was obtained January following, 
and the company was reorganized, by the choice of 
Charles H. Balch, Eleazer Johnson jr., and Philip John- 
son jr. as officers. 

This Company, with the Artillery, escorted General 
La Fayette into the town, on the occasion of his pub- 
lic reception and entertainment, August 31st 1824. 



13 



STATISTICS. 



UNDER this head will be placed a variety of stated 
merits of a miscellaneous character, chiefly as to the pop- 
ulation, wealth, public expenditures, commerce, manu- 
factures, and business condition of the town. 

POPULATION, 

The following table, collected from various sources, 
contains a view of the progressive increase of the pop- 
ulation of Newburyport until 1810, and its subsequent 
diminution. 

Years. Inhab. Houses. 

1764 2,882 357 

1790 4,837 616 

1800 5,946 806 

1810 7,634 

1820 6,789 

At the last Census in 1820 Newburyport contained 

Families. Widows. Males. Females. 

1196 380 3085 3704 

PROPERTY. 

The following table exhibits an account of all the 
property owned or possessed in Newburyport, as rated 
by the town-assessors, for the several years enumerated. 

Person. Estate. Real <$• Person. 
2506720 3754920 
2605900 3966650 



4152633 6318033 



Yrars. 


Real Estate. 


1802 


1248200 


1803 


1360750 


1804 




1805 




1806 


2165400 



1& 



1807 


2420200 


4307900 


672810® 


1808 


2318700 


4175500 


6494200 


1809 


2584300 


4442200 


7026500 


1810 


2825100 


4243900 


7069000 


1811 


2810400 


4271100 


7081500 


1812 


2635900 


3438700 


6074600 


1813 


1940300 


2799700 


4740000 


1814 


1671300 


2478700 


4151000 


1815 


1 500400 


2352800 


3853200 


1816 


1373000 


2111600 


348 1600 


1817 


1269600 


1869600 


3139200 


1818 


1249300 


1910000 


3159300 


1819 


1251000 


1793900 


3014900 


1820 


1707600 


1154000 


2861600 


1821 


1612000 


1031700 


2643700 


1822 


1549500 


1040400 


2589900 


1823 


1492600 


1056700 


2549300 


1821 


1347300 


1058000 


2405300 


1825 


1324100 


1018500 


23 42600 


1826 


1419200 


1003600 


2422800 



TOWJV EXPENSES. 

The following table contains a summary view of the 

expenses of the town for the municipal year ending 
March 1825. 

Repairing the Highways, including $1329 fof 
work by men from the Work-House and 

Town team*, g35l8 

Grammar School Master, 600 

West Lancasterian ditto, 600 

South do. do. 550 

North Writing do. 450 

Three Mistresses of Female Grammar Schools, 225 

Five Mistresses of small schools, 250 

Mistress of the African School, 53 

Rewards for Lancasterian Scholars, 73 

Wood for Schools, 69 
Repairing and altering School houses, and sundries 

for Schools, 266 

Assessor!!, 258 

Treasurer and Collector, 311 





Overseers of the Poor, 200 

Town-Clerk, 54 

Police Officer, 10 

Constable, 60 

Sextons 81 

Engines, Pumps, and Fire implements, 97 

Market-House, 151 

Vi-it of General La Fayette, 775 
Repairing Hospital and expenses arising from 

Sarortl Pox, 256 

Malt, ln5 

Maintenance and support of the Poor, 2»>o'7 
Interest on the town debt, deducting income of 

the market-house, *3Q 

Incidental charges, 331 



L2460 



MONOPOLY ACT. 



Many ajtemptg were made during the revolutionary 
war to lix the price of labor and commodities by leg- 
islative provisions. All these endeavors, of course, 
proved entirely futile. In 1 7T7_the selectmen of New- 
buryport, pursuant to an act of the general court k to pre- 
vent monopoly and oppression 1 tix«'d the prices of things 
for this town. The following table contains an abstract, 
in alphabetical order, of their regulations. 

Articles. Priee». Qwn. 

/. s. d. 

Beef, best fresh stall fed 4 lb. 

do. do. gr sa <\o. 3 lb. 

Baited (bbl 240 lbs*) 3 14 bbl, 

Beans 6 bush. 

Blubber, refined 1 10 bbl. 

Boards' good white p. merch. 2 5 M. 

Buiter, 10 lb- 

Calf-skin*, raw 6 lb. 

Chaise-hire, 3 1-2 mii e 

Charcoal. ■ 6 bush. 

Cb ese, best American, 6 bush* 

Co •■(- ilate do do. I 8 bush 

Cletb cotton and linen yd. wide ' ,; u ' 
g7* 



7* 

Articles. 

Cloth tow yd. wide 

best American woolen 
Cocoa, best, 
Cod-fish, fresh, 
Coffee, good 
Cotton by the bag*, 
Eggs, 

Flax, good merchantable, 
Flour, southern 

Massachusetts, 
Hay, best English, 
Hides, raw, 

tanned 
Hogshead, good, 44 inc. long, 
Horse-hire, 
Indian corn or meal 
Iron, bloomery, 
refined, 
Labor, viz. 
Carpenters, 
Caulkers, 
Bay laborers, not found 

found 
Joiners, 
Masons, 

Barbers once shaving, 
Coopers find, and set. hhd. hoop. 

bbl. do. 
Curriers, leather 

calf skin? : 
Teamsters 2 ox. and 1 horse 
Truckage hhd. 1-2 mile, 
bbl. do. do. 
Milk, 

Mutton, lamb or veal, 
Oats, 

Oil, liver, by the bbl. 
Peas, 
Pork, fresh best, 

salted (bbl. 220 lbs.) 
Potatoes best from Is. 2d. io 



Prices. 


€fc<iau 


1 s. 


d. 




2 


3 


yd. 


9 





y«i- 


6 10 





cwt 




t 


lb. 


1 


4 


lb. 


3 





lb. 




6 


doz„ 


1 





lb. 


1 10 




cwt. 


1 5 




Cwt. 


4 


6 


cwt 




3 


lb. 


1 


4 


lb. 


4 





each 




4 1-2 mile 


4 





bush. 


1 10 





cwt. 


2 10 





cwt 


5 


4 


day 


6 





day 


4 





day 


3 





day 


4 


8 


day 


6 



3 
4 


day 




2 1-2 


5 





hide 


1 





piece 


12 





day 


1 


4 
6 






3 


qt 




4 


lb. 


2 





busb. 


4 





gal. 


8 





bush. 




5 


lb. 


4 12 





bbl. 


1 


8 


bush.. 



•'?$. 



Prices. Quas. 


1 s. 


d. 


6 


8 gal 


7 


8 gal. 


9 

At 


qt. 


3 


10 gal, 


4 


6 gal. 


5 


busls 


10 


do 


12 


do 


11 


M 


8 


pair 


7 





2 10 


M. 


6 


pair 


2 14 


cwt. 


3 







8 lb. 




7 1-2 



Articles. 

Rum, W. I. by the hhd. includ. hhd, 

gallon, 

quart, 
N. V . by the hhd. exclud hhd. 

gallon 
Rye or rye -meal good, 
Salt, good imported, 

domestic manufac. 
Shingles, good shipping, 
Shoes, best men's neat's leather 
Shoeing a horse all around, 
Staves, red oak hhd 
Stockings, best men's woolen 
Sugar, best, Muscov. the hhd. 
by the cwt. 

ib. 

Tallow, good tried, 
Taverns, viz. 

Horse, keep. vv. Eng. hay 24 h. 
or night, 

Dinner boiled and roast, without 
wine, 

Supper or breakfast, 

Lodging, 
Tobacco raised in this state, 
Wheat, good raerch. 
Wood, good Eastern, 
Wool, good sheep's 
Turkies, poultry, and ducks, 

The foregoing are the highest prices, which were 
never to he exceeded The regulations further pro- 
vided that n i imported goods, except hemp and warlike 
or military stores, should be sold at an advance of more 
than £250 on £100 prime co*t in Europe. And to en- 
force this rule, every seiler by wholesale was required 
to deliver the buyer a bill of parcels with the sterling- 
cost an I his advance thereon, under penalty of a forfeit- 
ure of the whole value for his neglect No retailer 
was permitted to make an advance of more than twenty 
per cent, on the wholesale price ; and he was to deliver 
a bill of parcels if requested. 



2 



1 


6 




1 



4 






6 


lb. 


7 


6 


bush. 


1 





cord. 


2 



5 


lb. 



so 

BANKING AND INSURANCE. 

Insurance, in this town, is now conducted either by 
private individuals, or by agents of Boston insurance 
Companies. There have been three incorporated com- 
panies in tliH town, namely, the Merrimac Marine, the 
Union, and the Phenix Insurance Companies. These 
were all dissolved at successive periods; and the low- 
ness of premiums has rendered it unprofitable for any 
incorporated office to transact business in this town alone. 

There are two banks, the Newburyport, and Me- 
chanics. 

The Newburyport Bank was incorporated in 1812, 
with a capital of §300,000, reduced in 1814 to $210,- 
000) at which it now remains. 

This Bank is the successor of the Merrimac Bank, 
incorporated in 1725, which commenced business with 
a capital of '$70,000 In 1799 the Newburyport Bank 
w;«s incorporated. In 1800 it was dissolved and its stock 
was united with that of the Merrimac Bank. The stock 
of the Merrimac Bank paid in, amounted in 1801 to 
$225,000. In. 1803 a new bank was incorporated by 
the name of the Newburvport Bank with a capital of 
$300,000. In 1805 the charter of the Merrimac Bank 
expired; and the stock of the Newburyport Bank was 
increased $2)0, 000, the stockholders of Merrimac Bank 
having a right to subscribe this sum in the stock of the 
Newburypoi't. By this operation, the capital of the 
Newburyport Bank, in 1805. was $550,000. Its char- 
ter expired in 1812, at which time the present bank 
was incorporated. 

The Mechanics Bavk was incorporated in 1812, with 
a capital of $200,000. It has not undergone any legal 
changes asa corporaiion, and now transacts banking busi- 
ness upon the same capital. 

In connexion with the subject of Banking, the press 
for bank bills of the stereotype s'eel plate, established 
in N>wburyport, deserves to be mentioned. Bank-noies 
have become a univ^rai substitute for specie in this 
country as the circulating medium of traffic. Hence it is 
of the greatest importance t) prevent, if possible, the 
counterfeiting of bills. Long experience has demon- 



81 

Strated that Mr. Jacob Perkins, improvements in the" 
art of engraving afford the best specific of this kind, 
which has yet been discovered ; and lenve nothing to 
be desired but that all banks sho;ild he compelled to use 
the steel plate, if they are so regardless of the public 
good as not to do it voluntarily. 

The printing pre»s for these bills is in the hands of 
Mr. Abraham Perkins, brother of Air. Jacob Perkins, 
and the agent of that great artist for the New England 
States. The peculiar advantages of the plate contain- 
ing his improvements are many and evident. One is 
the exact similarity of all the hills. A copperplate, af- 
ter yielding six or seven thousand impressions, becomes 
worn down and must he retouched with the graver: — 
Which of course makes a difference in the appearance 
of the bills. The steel plate, on the contrary, affords 
an immense number of prints before the lines on the 
plate are worn, or the impression changed. Another 
advantage possessed by the steel plate is the quantity 
and delicacy of their work, and the endless multiplied 
of minute letters graven upon them, which it is idle 
for the forger to think of imitating with success. The 
check letter on the back of Perkins 1 bills, as well as 
the beautiful lathe-work on their face, are likewise pe- 
culiarities, which have seldom or never been skilfully 
counterfeited. In short, these and other excellencies 
of the stereotype bills are such as to baffle the art of 
counterfeiters, who readily succeed in forging bills dif- 
ficult to be distinguished from the best of any other de- 
scription. The quantity of work on Perkins' bills im- 
parts to them a certain heaviness of appearance, which 
som- 1 persons have appeared to think a ground of objec- 
tion. But nothing, certainly, is more ide and ridiculous 
than to prefer a mere pretty bill to a safe one. In 
truth, however, there are few plates, which give a more 
neat, finished, and graceful impression, than tii<>se 
which come from the graver of Murray and Fairman.* 

Mr. Perkins prints bills for about seventy banks, 



* New buryport Herald for May 28di 1822. 



82 
SHIP BUILDING, 

As Newburyport possesses no site with water powers^ 
it doe? not afford facilities lor the establishment of those 
manufactories, which require the application of a great 
moving force to complicated machinery. It has local 
advantages for two manufactures, however, which have, 
in time past, been the source of much wealth to its in- 
habitants. These are the distillation of rum, and ship- 
building; to which the citizens, in their memorial to 
congress in 1774, attributed a prominent rank in the 
enumeration of their business. 

Ship-Building has long been known as a staple man- 
ufacture of the towns on the Merrimac. The river 
was distinguished, at an early period, for producing 
good timber, skilful and industrious carpenters, and 
staunch vessels.* Old inhabitants of the town can re- 
member when there have been a hundred vessels build- 
ing at one time along the bank of the river on the 
Newbury side below the bridge. Formerly there were 
several ship yards in the town of Newburyport. The 
landing-place in Market square was long used for that 
purpose, and called the middle ship-yard. But the in- 
crease of the commerce of the town subsequent to 1800 
produced a change in this respect; and all the piinci- 
pal ship-yards are now in Newbury and Salisbury. 

The historian Douglas, while he reflects upon the 
ship builders of Newbury to the advantage of those of 
Boston, admits that better vessels were built here than 
at any other place in the country It may be inferred 
from his account, however, that when the carpenters of 
the Merrimac slighted their work, it was owing less to 
themselves than to the cupidity of the foreign merchants 
who dealt with them They built a large number of 
vessels for the British market; and oftentimes were 
compelled to empoy materials of less excellence, to 
meet the illiberality of a griping contractor abroad. — 
In illustration of this Douglas relates the following an- 
ecdote. «■ As contracts (he says) are generally to be 
paid in goods, they build accordingly. Thus a note*? 

* Douglas' Summary, vol. I, page 456. 



83 

builder (1751) T. W. jocosely said that he had built for 
■ a calico- ship. '* 

The Boston and Hancock continental frigates were 
built here ; anil the Merimac and Wasp, sloops of war. 
The government of the Uuited States, in establishing 
ship-yards at various places along the coast, have hard- 
ly done justice to the Merrimac, in passing over a situ- 
ation, where ships of war of the smaller class could be 
constructed to great advantage. 

The number of vessels built on the Merrimac has 
greatly diminished within the last fifteen or twenty 
years. But facilities for carrying on this business may 
still be found here, to greater extent than at most other 
places in the State. Many large lorests of tlie noblest 
oak over-shadow the sides of the Merrimac ; the me- 
chanics upon its banks have lost none of their ex- 
cellence in the art of ship-building; and the cheapness 
of rent and of the means of subsistance there enables 
them to aflord labor at a moderate compensation, and 
would there tore lessen the cost of building and of na- 
val equipments. 

Nothing is wanted to restore the naval business of the 
town to its tormer vigor but to have this manufacture of 
ships carried on by a company with adequate capital — > 
They might import, themselves, the iron, hemp, sail- 
cloth, copper and other articles used in building, and 
thus save the freight upon those commodities And by 
carrying on the business systematically and economi- 
cally, it would seem that they could not but succeed. 

There is hardly any single object, which would more 
decidedly tend to renovate the prosperity of the town, 
than ship-building carried on extensively. There is no 
species of manufacture, which would be more benefi- 
cial to all the industrious classes of the community. 
It has been estimated that when a vessel built in New- 
England is wholly fitted for sea, two thirds of her cost 
are a clear profit to the country the other third being 
iron, cordage, and other imported articles. The ship 
manufactory employs and supports more than thirty 
two distint trades ; while it is a business eminently 



* Douglas* Summary, vol. II, page 69. 



64 

healthful in all its branches, manly, and admirably cal- 
culated to no rish a race of aciive and hardy yeo- 
manry.* 

DISTILLERIES. 

The close intercourse of this town with the West In- 
dia i-iands gave it early advantages in the importation 
of molasses and the distillation of rum. The quantity 
of ttiis commodity manufactured in the town has varied 
exceedingly at different perio Is ; although less for the 
last ten or fifteen years. In 1820, when the census was 
taken, it was calculated that four distiileiies in the 
town consumed 3000 hogsheads of molasses annually. — 
Oi the rum produced, ii was supposed that about one 
fifth was exported to foreign countries, and the rest 
deposed of in the United States. There may be about 
3600 hogsheads distilled the present year. 

In the year 1790 there were ten distilleries in the 

to»vn ; and in 1808 there were eight; — but although the 

'number of distilleries now is .iimimshed, the quantity of 

rum produced is not probably much, it" any, less than it 

was at the former periods. 

MARITIME COMMERCE. 

The trade of Newburyport has at some periods been 
very large, and although much diminished now, is still 
quite considerable. 

The following table exhibits the amount of tonnage 
belonging to Newburyport at the several years specifi- 
ed. 

1789 99 vessels 11607 tons 

1796 Registered 16179 

Enrolled 3573 



1806 Registered 25291 

Enrolled 4422 



19752 do. 



29713 do. 



* Two or three of the above remarks are in the Newburyport tleraid, 
Aug 20,1*22. 



85 

1816 Registered 16331 

Enrolled 7i70 



1826 * Registered 7503 

Enrolled 12991 



23501 tons 



20494 do. 



The duties on imports have been 

in 1792 $ 74248 

1802 200895 

1812 46191 

1822 58451 

1826 49966 

The value of merchandize imported 
. in 1821 was $193119 

1826 166811 

The value of domestic merchandize exported was 
in 1791 $685121 

1806 543576 

1817 253652 

1826 190720 

In November 1790 there were owned in Newbury 
port 6 ships, 45 brigs, 39 schooners, 28 sloops, in all 
11,870 tons. 

In November 1805 there belonged to Newburyport 
41 ships, 62 brigs, 2 snows, 2 barques, and 66 schooners, 
besides sloops not enumerated. 

From these data, the reader can judge of the progres- 
sive changes in the maritime commerce of the town It 
would be found, by comparing its shipping in 1805 with 
that of other seaports in the country, that no where was 
industry more lively and enterprising than here, in the 
days of our commercial prosperity. 

FISHERIES. 

The fishing vessels belonging to this District are not 
owned in the town of Newburyport alone, butii portion 
of them in the vicinity. 

* Where the year 1826 is meuioned it lucaus the year ending Jane 
30th ISitf. 

H 



86 

In 1806 the number of vessels belonging to the Dis- 
trict employed in the Labrador fishing was 45, and 10 
or 15 more in the Bay fishery. These vessels averag- 
ed i2 men each, and caught in the season 5000 quintals 
of fish each. The mackerel fishery was then very 
small. 

The latter branch of our fisheries was not commenc- 
ed, to any extent, until since the late war. 

The first vessel fitted out in this District to carry on 
the mackerel fishing for the season was in 1815. But 
in 1819 the number of vessels so employed amounted to 
abot 30, and the quantity of mackerel caught to about 
15000 barrels. 

The number of vessels employed in the year 1825 
was 75, and the quantity of mackerel caught amounted 
to 24000 barrels. 

The average quantity of fish taken in the cod-fishery, 
by vessels belonging to this District, for the last ten 
years, has been about 20,000 quintals, averaging about 
$50000 in value. This business probably employs 300 
men. 

The sum paid in this District for bounties for the 
year 1825 was $14998. 

It has been already stated that the amount of register- 
ed tonnage belonging to this town at present was 7503, 
of enrolled 12991 tons. At former periods the case 
was reversed, and the tonnage registered was much 
greater than the tonnage enrolled. 

From this it appears that the coasting and fishing bu- 
siness of the town has much increased within a few 
years, and in proportion as the foreign commerce has 
diminished. 

The fishing business has proved highly beneficial to 
the south part of the town and the contiguous parts of 
Newbury, where it is chiefly carried on. This fact is 
apparent from the evidently improved appearance and 
increasing prosperity of that quarter. 

Much as we have cause to lament the diminution of 
our foreign trade, still the prosperity of our fisheries 
and of the coastwise trade is a subject of much gratula- 
lion. No maritime occupation is more healthful and 
maDly, or better calculated to nourish a race of hardy 



37 

mariners, than our fisheries. There id no business, 
which is more purely a profit on labor than this ; and it 
is, therefore, peculiarly deserving encouragement as a 
branch of domestic industry. 

The coasting trade of the United States is constantly 
increasing; and even now employs a much greater ton- 
nage than the foreign. The subjoined remaks are ap- 
plicable to the fisheries as well as to our domestic ma- 
rine commerce.* 

»* Navigation in the coasting trade, in respect to its 
influence in exciting to production in the different di- 
visions of industry, operates with double the effect that 
our navigation in foreign trade does, because ourforeign 
navigation divides its influence, employing one half of 
it at home to the encouragement of home industry, and 
carrying the other half abroad to the equal encourage- 
ment of foreign industry. Whereas the coast- wise nav- 
igation, though it divides its influence between the places 
it connects in intercourse, yet employs the whole of it 
at home, to the encouragement of home production. — 
Our inland and coast-wise trade is beyond comparison 
^more important to national interests than our foreign 
commerce. It employs more tons of navigation than 
the foreign ; and the vessels it employs make several 
interchanges of merchandise, while the vessels employed 
in the foreign trade are making but one. It employs 
more capital, in proportion as the amount of goods to be , 
exchanged by it is greater; and the capital employed 
affords equal profit in proportion to its amount. The 
home market for the surplus products of our various in- 
dustry, with the exception of two or three articles of 
southern produce, is probably of four times the extent 
of the foreign market." 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

In the year 1825 there were 10 manufactories of fur 
and plated hats of different qualities in Newburyport 
and its vicinity. Their whole capital was estimated 
at $17,500 and they employed in all 65 persons. 

* Practical Principles of Political Economy, page 32 



BS 

It is calculated that 90 persons are employed in th<* 
town in the manufacture of shoes and boot?, and that the 
ralue of their products amounts annually to $50,000. 

Laird's Beer, Porter and Ale, are well known in 
the United Slates. Mr. Laird emigrated to this country 

from Scotland, and commenced brewing here in 1785. 

The gradual increase of the business obliged him to en- 
large his works at successive periods, first in 1789, and 
afterwards in 1793. The present works were erected 
in 1793 and are capable of producing upwards of 5000 
barrels annually. It is of the first quality and of estab- 
lished reputation. 

In New burj near to the bounds of Newburyport there 
are extensive Cordage manufactoiies They were 
five in number in 1803—1805, employing from 40 to 50 
hands, and producing annually fron/200 to 300 tons of 
cordage, valued at about $70,000. For the last five 
years the number of manufactories has been six, the 
number of persons employed 25 to 35, the quantity of 
cordage manufactured from 130 to 160 tons, valued at 
$30,000 In addition to thi* about $8,000 worth of 
white lines and cord have been majmfaciured annually 
lie last three years, employing about 15 workmen. 

There is a large w iol-pulling and morocco dressing 
establishment in Newbury port, at which about 10000 
skins are dressed annually. 

The Eastern Stage Company runs a line of stage 
coaches, including the mail coach, from Boston through 
Newburyport to Portsmouth, be-Me several bye-routes. 
This line employes 287 horses, seventy of which are 
kept in Newburyport. It has 35 coaches and 1 2 ch;ii*es. 
This line is celebrated, throughout the United States, 
for the excellency of its horses, drivers and coaches ; 
and for the rapidity, safety, and regularity of its move- 
ments. All the coaches are constructed in Newbury- 
port. In the ^tage yard them are 25 artisans employed 
chiefly in the various branches of carriage making and 
the subsidiary trades, who manufacture 20 coaches year- 
ly, beside chaises. There is also another chaise manu- 
factory in Newburyport. 

The manufacture of gold and silver has been carri- 
ed on to some extent in this town for several years, 



8® 

larticularly in the articles of necklaces, thimbles, an# 
poons. Thirty hands are usually engaged in this busi* 
iess, who produce goods to the amount of 40 or 50,000 
dollars. 

Some beautiful specimens of the latter articles made 
at the establishment of the Messrs Bradbury far the or- 
der of the Hampshire, Franklin, and Hampden Agricul- 
tural Society, and distributed at Northampton last au- 
tumn in premiums, were much admired, 

They have recently succeeded in the establishment 
of a manufactory of thimbles by machinery on an im- 
proved and original method. The mode they have in- 
vented combines durability in the commodity with fa- 
cility of execution. They now manufacture them for 
exportation as well as domestic consumption. 

"The number of shops for the retail of dry goods now 
kept in Newburyport is about twenty two, having an 
aggregate capital which has been estimated at about 
§80,000. The amount of capital thus invested in this 
town previous to the war was very much greater ; bu^ 
has diminished with the general decrease of business. 

It is said that in 1766 there were but three shops 
r or En lish goods in Newburyport. These belonged to 
John Harris, Tristram Dalton, and Patrick Tracy. 

The tanning business is carried on successfully in the 
vicinity of Newburyport, particularly in the town of 
Newbury, where there are four tanneries which tan an- 
nually 900 hides, and 400 skins. Beside this, there is 
an cxlensiye tannery in West Newbury and several in 
Salisbury. 

The manufacture of combs is a very considerable 
branch of industry in West Newbury. In the manufac- 
ture of shell-combs thirty person-? are employed, who 
make in each year 56,000 dozen of shell-combs of vari- 
ous sizes valued at $140,000. In the manufacture of 
horn-combs, an hundred persons are employed, who 
make annually 43,000 dozen horn-combs, valued at $43,- 
000:— In all $183,000. 

Chaises are manufactured extensively in Wes-t New- 
bury and Newbury. In Belleville in the town of New bu- 
ry about 100 ch uses are made yearlv amounting to<213- 
')00 in vaiue. From sixty to seventy chaises are made 
h8 



90 

in West Newbury. There are also two large hat man- 
ufactories in Belleville. About fifty persons are employ- 
ed in West Newbury .in the manufacture of shoes. 

In 1824 the number of licensed shops was fifty four, 
besides five public inns. There are now in Newbury- 
port six apothecaries' shops; six for the sale of hard- 
ware or crockery ; ten jewellers' or watch makers' ; five 
booksellers' and stationers, of whom two are book-bind- 
ers; three printing offices; seven practising lawyers; 
seven physicians ; and two circulating libraries. 

Of trades and arts exercised in the town, among oth- 
ers, are one maker of mathematical instruments, forty- 
five house joiners, eighteen block makers, thirty five 
cabinet makers, thirty four painters, six tin men, thirty 
masons, eleven bakers, twenty brickmakers in the town 
and vicinity, nine caulkers, ten riggers, twenty sail- 
makers, five tallow-chandlers and thirty eight black- 
smiths: Including, in the foregoing computation, jour- 
neymen and apprentices, as well as master workmen. 

The manufacture of tobacco is entitled to attention. 
It employs more than forty hands. They manufacture 
the amount of five tons of snuff, and three millions five 
hundred thousand cigars annually. 

These details might be extended further; but they 
will, as now made, furnish some idea of the present 
state of the business and trade of Newburyport. The 
author has introduced the mention of two or thiee staple 
manufactures of the immediate neighborhood, without, 
of course, pretending to make a full relation of them — 
Had his plan permitted, he might have given an account 
of the costly and extensive erections and the flourishing 
manufactures at the falls on Powow river in Amesbury. 
aud Salisbury, which would show that village to be em- 
ulous of the growth of Lowell, Somer.«worth, and Dov- 
er. But this must be reserved for another occasion.* 

NEWSPAPERS. 

A newspaper was first establ^hed in Newburyport in 
1773, bv Isaiah Thomas, and Henry W Tinges— Mr. 



* TU»- author has made some collections towards an accunt of SaHs- 
burv , his native town, and of Amcsburv ; — which he hopes ere long to 
He able to complete. 



91 

Thomas then printed a weekly paper in Boston^ where 
he resided ; and of course provided the foreign, news 
for both journals, the paper published here being- under 
the direct care of Mr. Tinges. It was entitled The 
Essex Journal and Merrimac Packet ; or the Massa- 
chusetts and Nrw Hampshire General Advertiser. It 
was printed on paper about the size of large foolscap.— 
No greater proof need be had of the advancement of 
the useful arts in this country than to compare one of 
these papers with the beautiful and finished newspapers 
of the pe«ent day In front of the Merrimac Packet arc 
two engravings, one a ghostly representation of the 
Massachusetts Indian, the other a ship of war in full sail, 
Tney are quite amusing specimens of the art. 

The printing office of Thomas and Tinges stood in 
King (Federal) street, opposite the church of the First 
Pivshyterian Society. The price of the paper was < -six 
shillings and eight pence lawful money ;' which, say the 
printers, is L as cheap as any newspaper in the four 
quarters of the globe.' The first number contains the 
subjoined advertisement ■ 

' PRINTING, 
Those ladies and gentlemen, who are desirous of 
seeing the curious art of printing, are hereby informed 
that on Monday next the printing office vil! be opened 
for their reception, and the printers ready to wait on 
all, who will do the honor of their company. 

December 4th 1773.' 
In the nineteenth number occurs this advertisement : 

'STAGE rOACH, 
That constantly plys between Ne vbury-port and 
Boston, sets out with four horses every Monday morning 
at 7 o'clock from Newhury-port. and arrives at Boston 
th-^ same day : — Leaves Boston every Thursday morn- 
ing and reaches *\ewbury-p<>rt the same day. * * * 

It is hooped this frery expensive undertaking will meet 
with encouragement from all Ladies and Genflemen, as 
they may depend on the punctual perform mce, 
Of the Pabltt's most obedient humble Servant, 

EZRA UJ\T.' 
In les^ th in a vear after the commencement of the 
paper. '.:. nomas retinqtrfched it, and Ez a Lunt be- 
came joint publisher with Tinges. 



92 

la 1777 the title of the paper was changed to that of 
The Essex Journal and New Hampshire Packet, and it 
was published on Friday by John M^call and H. W. 
Tinges. 

In 1776 we find Mr Mycall sole proprietor of the pa- 
per ; soon after which the price was raised to eight shil- 
lings ; and the priming office removed to Water street 
a little below the Ferry-way. 

It would appear, by an advertisement in this pa- 
per July 12th 1776 that an Insurance office was then 
tirst opened in Newhuryport 

The following item of intelligence possesses perma- 
nent interest, it appears in the Essex Journal July 26th 
1776. 

4 BOSTON, July 25 — Thursday last, pursuant to the 
order of the honorable council, was proclaimed from 
the balcony of the State House in this town, the Declar- 
ation of the American CO.V<r/?E53., absolving the Unit- 
ed Colonies from their allegiance to the Bri'i-h Crown, 
an 1 declaring them Free and Independent States. There 
were present on the occasion, in the Council Chamber, 
the Committee of Council, a number of the honorable 
house of Representatives, the Magistrates, Ministers, Se- 
lectmen, and other gentlemen ol Boston and the neigh- 
bouring town* ; also the commission, and other officers 
of the Continental regiments, stationed here, two of 
which were under Arms in King Street, formed into 
three lines on the North side, and in thirteen divisions ; 
likewise a detatchment from the Massachusetts regi- 
ment of Artillery, with two pieces of Cannon on their 
right wing. At one o'clock the Declaration was pro- 
claimed bv Col. Thomas Crafts, which was received 
with great joy, expressed by three huzzaes from a great 
Concourse of people, assembled on the occasion, after 
which, on a -ignal given, thirteen pieces of cannon were 
£r 3 d from the fort on Fort-Hill, those at Dorchester 
neck, the Cattle, Nantasket, and Point AHerton, also 
discharged their Cannon : Then the detachment of Ar- 
tillery discharged t ! ieir cannon thirteen times, which 
was followed by the two regiments giving their fire 
from the thirteen divisi his in succession. These firings 
corresponded to the number of the American State* 



93 

United. The ceremony was closed with a proper col- 
lation to the gentlemen in the council chamber", during 
which, the following 1 toasts were given by the President 
«■ of the council, and heartily pledged by the company, 
viz. 

Prosperity and perpetuity to the United States of 
America. 

The American Congress. 

The General Court of the State of the Massachusets 
Bay. 

General Washington, and success to the Arms of the 
United States. 

The downfall of Tyrants and Tyranny. 

The universal prevalence of civil and religious Lib- 
erty. 

The fiends of the United States, in all quarters of 
the Globe, 

The bells in town were rung on the occasion, and un- 
dissembled Festivity cheered and brightened every 
Face. 

On the same evening the King's Arms, and every 
other Sign with any resemblance of it, whether Lvon 
and Crown, Pestle and Mortar and Crown, Heart and 
Crown &c. together with every *ign that belonged to a 
torv, was taken down, and the latter made a general con- 
flagration of in King-Street.' 

The preceding notices are introduced, as regarding 
the original establishment of a newspaper in the town. 
It is not material to follow minutely the changes which 
successively took place in the form of its publication, 
previous to 1793. 

Two newspapers are now published here, The Nevv- 
buryport Herald, and The Free Press. 

The Herald is the successor of the Impartial Herald, 
first established in 1793. It is now published semi- 
weekly, on Tuesday and Friday, by Mr. Ephraim W 
Allen. 

The Free Press was recently established, and is pub- 
lished every Thursday by Mr. William L. Garrison. 

An excellent and commodious reading-room for news- 
papers is kept by Mr. John Porter, contiguous to the 
•ffice of the Comnoooweajth Insurance Company.-—- 



94 

There is also a reading-room at the private insurance 
office of Mr. Samuel Tenney. 

The following newspapers were established at dif- 
ferent periods, but were soon discontinued. 

The Morning Star in 1794 by Tucker and Robinson: 
The Political Gazette in 1796 by Barrett and Far- 
ley : — 

The Merrimac Gazette in 1803 by Caleb Cross: — 
The Political Calendar in 1805 by Caleb Cross :— - 
The Merrimac Magazine in 1805 by W &J. Gilman r 
The Repertory in 1804 by John Parke, which paper 
was the parent of the Boston Repertory : 

The Merrimac Miscellany in 1805 by William B. Al- 
len : — 

The Newburyport Gazette in 1806, by Benjamin 
Edes :— 

The Statesman in 1809, by Joseph Gleason : — 
, The Independent Whig in 1810, by Nathaniel H. 
Wright : — 

The Northern Chronicler in 1824, by Heman Ladd : 

And the Essex Courant in 1825, by Isaac Knapp, 3d. 



\n 



SISTINGtTISHED INHABITANTS* 



Newburyport has just cause to regard, with honest 
pride, the many distinguished individuals, whose birth 
or residence in the town have added so much to its re- 
spectability. To do justice to her eminent sons by a 
complete biography of them would far transcend the 
limits and plan of this work. A short notice of some 
among them is all, which the place and occasion will 
warrant. 

The clergymen, whose virtues and piety were dii- 
played in the discharge of their pastoral functions here, 
have been commemorated already, in giving an account 
of their respective parishes ; and they need not, of 
course, be again enumerated. 

Delicacy forbids that the author should attempt the 
task, otherwise most grateful, of de?crk ing the charac- 
ter of living inhabitants of the t< wn, His brief sketch- 
es will be confined to those, who have either ceased to 
reside among us, or whose names are consecrated by 
death. 

Theophilus Bradbury was descended from Thomas 
Bradbury, a magistrate in 1650, and one of the first set- 
tlers of Salisbury. He was born in Newbury in 1739, 
and graduated at Harvard College in 1757. After stud- 
ying law in Boston he commenced the practice of it in 
Portland, (then called Falmouth) in 1761. 

Whilst in Falmouth he attained the reputation of aa 
able advocate and a faithful, upright, and learned coun- 
sellor. And during this period Theophilus Parsons pur- 
sued the study of law in his office. 

In 1775 Portland was burnt by com. Mowat* an! soon 
afterwards, in 1779, Mr; Bradbury removed to Newbu- 
ryport, his native town. He was at that time very 
falsely suspected of being uufriendly to the cause of the 



96 

country ; merely because his house in Falmouth escaped 
the conflagration. 

In Newburyport he gradually rose to distinction in 
his profession and in public life. Beside man) other 
important offices to which he was elected, he was a 
member of Congress under Washington's administration. 

In 1797 he was appointed a justice of the Supreme 
Court, in which office he continued until 1803: — soon 
after which he died.* 

One of his son«, the late George Bradbury of Portland, 
represented the district of Cumberland in Congress. 

Stephen and Ralph Cross were among the most ac- 
tive and influential citizens of Newburyport. The for- 
mer was born in '31, the latter in '38. They were 
both brought up shipwrights in the building yard of 
their father, Ralph Cross, opposite the bottom of Lime 
Street. • Stephen was one of a number of his trade, who 
went from this place to construct a flotilla on the lakes 
in '56. He and his associates were made prisoners at 
the fall of fort Oswego and carried to Quebec and 
thence to France. On his return he formed a copart- 
nership with his brother Ralph. The business of the 
firm was extensive. In addition to their shipbuilding, 
the partners were engaged in trade at home and abroad 
and at the commencement of the Revolution were fast 
becoming affluent. From the number of men in their 
employment, few citizens had better opportunities of 
conciliating general confidence. And the records of the 
town, which show the active part, which they took in 
its concerns, prove that these opportunities were not 
neglected. Stephen was the first selectman chosen * by 
the town alter its separation from Newbury. Both 
brothers entered into the cause of the revolution with 
spirit and determination. Both were members of the 
committee of safety and correspondence. Many of their 
letters show an intensity of interest in public concerns 
almost inconceivable at the present day. They speak 
of the commonwealth as men now speak of the affairs 
of their own households. Stephen was chosen one of 
the delegates of the town to the first Provincial Con- 



His dwelling is now owned and occupied by JYU\ Robert Jenkins. 



S7 

gress. Several were elected, but he and the well 
known Jonathan Greenleaf, whose friend and coadjutor 
he was during his whole life, were the only two, who 
accepted their appointments. He was a member of 
this body during most of the war, and of the General 
Court, that succeeded, foi many yrars afterward. At the 
commencement of the revolution Ralph was a captain 
in the militia, commissioned by the royal Governor. — 
His commission is dated in 1772. He afterwards accept- 
ed one from the Provincial Congress, and signalized him- 
self by his zeal and assiduity in training his men. In 
1777 he joined the northern army as Lt. Colonel of the 
regiment raised in this quarter, commanded by Col. 
Johnson ot Andover. His battalion formed part of two 
regiments ordered in September to advance against the 
gaprison at Ticonderoga with the intent of taking pos- 
session of it. The. enemy being re in farced, the regi- 
ments were compelled to retreat and joined the camp 
at Stillwater on the fourth of October. The fourth 
day following occurred the memorable battle, which oc- 
casioned Burgoyne.'s surrender. This was one of the 
first detachments of militia engaged in the action. — 
The brothers, with others, contracted with the 
State, anil built the frigates Hancock, Boston, and Pro 
lector, and several other vessels of war. The former 
was built in the yard of Jonathan Greenleal, between 
Bartlet and Johnson's wharves, the two last at the yard 
of Stephen Cross, now occupied by Titeomb and Lunt 
as a mast yard. 

At the close of the war Stephen was appointed 
superiuiendant of the excise, and afterwards col- 
lector of the customs for the port of INewburyport. 
Some imputation of mismanagement, together probably 
with his political sentiments, caused him to be remov- 
ed from the last office. Whatever it was, it did not di- 
minish the confidence of his fellow citizens ; for he was 
the y^ar after his removal elected a member of the 
Genera) Court, and soon after received the appointment 
o' postmaster. In the last office he continued till he di- 
ed in 1809. 

Ralph also filled various honorable offices. He was 
for six years, from 1790 to 1796, brigadier gener- 
I 



98 

al of (he Brigade <o which the corps of Newbury 
port were attached. He was a commissioner of 
bankruptcy under the bankrupt law, and in 1802 was 
appointed collector of the customs. He continued in 
this office, performing its duties at a period of unusual 
difficulty with faithfulness and resolution, till his de- 
cease in 1800* 

Tristram Daiton was born in Newbury in June 
1738. In 1755 he was graduated at Harvard college. 
After pursuing the study of law for a time in Salem, he 
married a daughter of Robert Hooper of Marblehead, 
and entered into business with his father as a merchant 
in Newburyport. For many years he continued active- 
ly engaged in commercial persuits ; after which he was 
called to fill some of the most responsible offices in the 
State. He was a representative from Newburyport, 
speaker of the House of Representatives and a member 
of the Senate of Massachusetts, and lastly member of the 
Senate of the United States. When his term of office in 
Congress expired, he soid his estate in Essex and re- 
moved to Washington. He entered into speculations 
there, which, provwg unfortunate, reduced him from 
affluence to poverty. He was appointed surveyor of 
Boston and Charlestown in 1815, and continued in the 
dicharge of his official duties until his death in 181 7.T 

The Greenleafs have always been a family of great 
consideration in Newburyport. Three brothers of that 
name emigrated here from Europe. Benjamin, son of 
one of these emigrants, died i' Newburyport at an ad- 
vanced age in 1783, having been a representative in 
the legislature, and otherwise repeatedly honored with 
marks of the public confidence. 

Jonathan Greenleaf, nephew of the preceding, was 
distinguished for his natural talents, persuasive diction, 
fc conciliating manners,' and * peculiar tact' in public life. 
He died in Newburyport, his native place, in 1807, at 
the age of eighty four. He filled the office of represen- 
tative from this town in the General Court for many 
years ; where he displayed his characteristic acuteness 

*The author is indebted for this account to a descendant of Ralph Cross. 
f Knapp's Biograph. Sketches 315.— His house now belorgs to and is 
ojwupied by Moses Brown esqr. 



99 

and practical good sense, in the important duties of the 
trying crisis of the revolution. 

Benjamin Greenleaf, cousin of Jonathan, and another 
nephew of the first named Benjamin, was born at this 
place in March 1732 and died here in January 1799. — 
He resided some time in Kittery ; and returned here in 
1761. He held various important offices in the service 
of his native town, of the county, and of the common- 
wealth. He was member of the Executive Council of 
Massachusetts during the revolutionary war. He was 
also a member of the Senate after the adoption of the 
constitution; a chief justice of the court of Common. 
Pleas ; and for a long period Judge of Probate for the 
county of Essex. 

Stephen Hooper was the son of Stephen Hooper, a 
merchant of distinction in Newburyport, where the sub- 
ject of this article was born in 1785: — Soon after which 
time his lather removed to Newbury. He was fitted 
for college at Dummer Academy and graduated at Cam- 
bridge in 1303. After studying law for the stated peri- 
od, he was admitted to the bar, and opened an office in 
Newburyport. 

Whilst yet a student at law he represented Newbury 
in the General Court at the age of 25 ; and six years af- 
terwards he was elected a member of the Senate from 
the district of Essex. In these situations, although 
wanting in business-talents and industry, he was distin- 
guished as an eloquent debater. 

In 1818 he removed to Boston ; and devoted himself 
to the practise of his profession. During his residence 
there he was for several years an alderman of the city. 
He died in 1825, aged 40.* 

Jonathan Jackson was one of the eminent patriots of 
Essex during the revolution and the early period of our 
constitutional history. He wrote some of the best po- 
litical tracts of the day, — was a member of Congress, 
and held several offices of responsibility and honor. — 
He was born in Boston ; but settled here as a merchant 
early in life, and spent the most efficient part of it in 
the town. Several years before his death he removed 



* Boston Monthly Mag. vol, I. 



100 

back to Boston.* He was the near friend of the subject 
of the next article. 

John Lowell, son of John Lowell, minister of the 
First Religious Society in Newlmryport, was born in 
the part of Newbury, which afterwards became New- 
buryport, in 17 43. He was graduated at Harvard col- 
lege ; and adopting the law for his profession^ he settled 
in his native town and speedily rose 'o distinction. In 
1776 he removed to Boston ; and became representative 
in the General Court, and a member uf \he convention 
for framing the constitution of the State. 

In 1781 he was chosen member ct Congress; in 
1782 he was appointed judge of the admiralty Court 
of Appeals ; and on the establishment of the federal 
government was made district judge of the United 
States for Massachuseits. This office he filled until 
1801, when he was made chief justice of the new Cir- 
c'uit Court for the eastern circuit. He died in 1802, 
He was eminent for his judgment, integrity, and elo- 
quence as an advocate and legislator ; for his impartial- 
ity, acuteness, and decision as a judge : and tor his 
zeal in the cause of scientific and other useful institu- 
tions. He was eighteen years member of the corpora- 
tion of Harvard College ; and was one of the founders 
of the American Academy.? 

The poet Robert Treat Paine studied law in New- 
buryport under the direction of Parsons ; and whilst he 
resided here, pronounced his celebrated Eulogy pu 
Washington, which, with some defects of ta«te, i* nev- 
ertheless a very brilliant and powerful composition. 

Timothy Palmer has been mentioned in mother part 
of this work. He was born in Boxford. His merit as 
a civil engineer was very distinguished. Besides con- 
structing the Essex Merrimac bridge, he was much em- 
ployed in similar business at the south, and in particu- 
lar built a bridge across the Schuylkill at Philadelphia. 



* His mansion house afterwards passed into the hands of Mr. Timo- 
thy Dexter, notorious for his eccentricity, and is now used as a public 
inn. 

"J" His dwelling is now owned by Mr. Elaazer Johnson. The house in 
which he is aid to have been born, now belongs to, and is occupied by 
John Fitz esq. 



101 

Tkeophilus Parsons, a name identified with the his- 
tory of our law, laid the foundations of his eminence in 
Newburyport. Born in Newbury in February 1750, 
he received the rudiments of his education at Dum- 
mer Academy, undar the celebrated master Moody. — 
His father, the Rev. Moses Parsons, was minister of By- 
field parish in Newbury. He was graduated at Harvard 
college in 1769, and afterwards studied law in Falmouth, 
now Portland, and while there taught the grammar 
school in that town, He practised law there a few 
years ; but the conflagration of the town by the British 
in 1775 obliged him to return to his father's house, 
where he met judge Trowbridge, and received the 
most valuable instructions from that eminent jurist — 
Pie soon resumed the practise of his profession in this 
town, and rapidly rose to unrivalled reputation as a law- 
yer. 

In 1777 he wrote the famous Essex Result, and in 1779 
was an active member of the Convention, which framed 
the State constitution. 

In 1789 he was a member of the convention for con- 
sidering the present constitution of the United States, 
and was peculiarly instrumental in procuring its adop- 
tion. 

In 1801, he was appointed attorney general of the 
United States, but declined accepting his commission. 

In i800, he removed to Boston. In 1806, he was ap- 
pointed chief justice of the Supreme Court of Massa- 
chusetts, and his profound legal opinions have mainly 
contributed to settle the principles of our expository 
law 

He died in Boston October 13th 18l3, with reputa- 
tion as a judge and a lawyer unequalled in Massachu- 
setts.-? 

Nicholas Pike, son of Rev. James Pike, was born in 
Somers worth in 1743. He was graduated at Harvard 
college in 1766, and taught a grammar school, first in 
York, afterwards in Newburypoit. In 1788, he publish- 
ed his System of Arithmetic, which still deservedly sus- 

*Kna[>p's Biog. Sketches p. 37 :— C. J. Parker's Charge, Mass. Hep. 
His house now belongs to Dr Oliver Prescott. 

i9 



102 

tains high reputation. lie was long' a disiinguised act- 
ing magistrate in Newburyport, where he died in De* 
cembnr 1819.* 

The life and character of Oliver Putnam have already 
been sketched.! 

Micajah Sawyer, a physician of eminence, was born 
at Newbury in 1737, and was graduated at Har- 
vard college in 1756. He was much distinguished in 
the practise of his profession and as a citizen ; and died 
at an advanced age in 1815. 

John Barnard Swett was highly distinguished as ft 
physician, scholar, and gentleman. He was born in this 
town and graduated at Harvard college in 1771 ; and af- 
terwards travelled in various parts, whence he returned 
with a mind richly stored with professional and classi- 
cal learning. He established himself in Newburvport 
in 1780. He died in 1796, at the age of 45, falling a 
sacrifice to his fidelity in the exercise of his profession 
during the calamitous period, when the yellow fever 
prevailed in Newburvport. 

George Thacher, a justice tf the Supreme Court of 
Massachusetts, removed from Eiddeford to Newbury- 
port in 1820, on the separation of Maine from Massa- 
chusetts*. He resided here until a short time before his 
death, r^hich took place at Biddeford in 1824. He was 
born at Yarmouth in 1754 and was educated at Har- 
vard college. He practised law for many years ia 
Maine with great reputation and success. 

He was a member of Congress for a long period, 
from 1788 until his appointment to the Supreme Courf $ 
in which he held a seat for more than twenty years 
previous to his decease. 

Among the first settlers of Newbury was William 
Titcomb, who emigrated from Newbury in England in 
1635. His grandson col. Moses Titcomb was distin- 
guished in the expedition against Louisbnrg in 1745j 
and afterwards commanded a regiment at Crown Point 
in 1755, where he was killed while reconnoitring the 
enemies' post. Another of the descendants of William 
Titcomb, captain Michael Titcomb, belonged to Wash- 

* Sew Harop. Collec. II U8. t A » f » 0t P a £ e 63 - 



103 

ington's body guard. Two other?. Enoch Titcomb and 
Jonathan Titcomb, deserve separate notice. 

Enoch Titcomb was bred to mercantile pursuits, but 
as he advanced in life attained rank, as an upright ju- 
dicious public servant. He was an ardent whig; and 
served as a brigade major at Rhode Island, among the 
troops commanded by general Sullivan. Afterwards he 
held different town offices for many years. At the age 
of forty he became a member of the legislature, and 
continued in office, either as representative or senator, 
until the infirmities of age obliged him to retire into 
private life. He was also for a long time a justice of 
the peace and a notary public. Without possessing 
brilliant talents, he was yet estimable for his piety, in- 
tegrity, and good sense. He died in 1814, aged G2. 

• Jonathan Titcomb was distinguished as an ardent and 
zealous whig during the revolution. He commanded a 
regiment of militia under general Sullivan upon the 
Rhode Island expedition, and afterwards became a brig- 
adier general. In 1774-75 he was a member of the 
Committee of Safety, and belonged to the first General 
Court after the British evacuated Boston. 

Subsequently he represented the town in General 
Court for several years ; and was chosen to the Con- 
vention for framing the constitution of the Stale. 

He was appointed by Washington the first naval of- 
ficer in this District, which place he held from 1789 
to 1812. 

He died in 1817, at the advanced age of 89. 
Nathaniel Tracy was a merchant of liberal educa- 
tion, who graduated at Harvard college in 1769. He 
afterwards transacted business upon an extensive scale 
in this, his native town, and was distinguished for his 
patriotism, liberality of character, refinement of man- 
ners, and hospitality.* 

Beside these men, who, by reason of their profes- 
sion, their situation, or the offices they held, rightly 
are esteemed public property, many others might; be 
mentioned, highly distinguished for their private virtues. 

* Hi3 raansioa-house now belongs to and is occupied by James. 
Prince esq. 



104 

William Coombs, ami others will long be gratefully re- 
membered by their fellow citizens, for that digaity of 
character as men and as merchants, which exalted the 
name and the fortunes of Newburyport in the nation. 

Newburyport has proved, but too frequently, the 
nursery of talented men, who have emigrated elsewhere 
for the enjoyment of more liberal rewards than its means 
afford. Of the many individuals, whose fortunes illus- 
trate this remark, King, Perkins, Jackson, White, Knapp, 
and Pierpont are living examples. Three of these 
have attained reputation so pre-eminent as to sanction 
the introduction of a snort account of their lives in this 
place. 

Charles Jackson, the son of Jonathan Jackson, was 
h^rn in Newburyport in 1775. He was graduated at 
Cambridge in 1793; and after studying the science of 
law under Parsons, went into practise in Newburyport. 
His eminent natural qualifications for success in his pro- 
fession, and his untiring industry and devotedness in the 
discharge of its duties, drew to him the public confidence 
at an early age. He quickly rose to the front ranks of 
the bar, and became second only to his great master in 
iorensic distinction. Shortly before the latter was 
raised to the bench, he removed to Boston, and suppli- 
ed, as no other person could do, the vacancy in prac- 
tise left by his withdrawal from the profession. 

He continued sedulously engaged in the highest and 
best legal business of the State until 1813, when, upon 
the death of Theodore Sedgwick, he was appointed to 
be a justice of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts. 

To ascribe to him the highest character in this new 
station would only be to repeat the unanimous voice of 
the bar and the public. His were not merely the ordi- 
nary points of judicial excellence. Industry, — impar- 
tiality, — patience, — acuteness,- -juridical erudition, were 
qualities, which he exhibited in no common degree.— 
But the depth, clearness, and comprehension of his 
views were still more remarkable. His earnest devot- 
edness to the functions cf his station affected his health 
so seriously, that, in 1823, he went abroad to regain it, 
resigning his office. In England he was honored with 



105 

(be respect and confidence of lord Stowell, and oiher 
eminent jurists. 

In 1824 he returned to this country, and has now re- 
fumed the practise of his profession in Boston as counsel, 

Rufus King was born at Scarborough in Maine. 
He received his first degree at Harvard college in 
1777 ; and immediately began the study of law in New- 
buryport under the care of Theophilus Parsons. On 
completing his studies, he was admitted to the ba'r in 
Essex County, and opened an office in this town. 

His great talents speedily raised him to distinction in 
fcis profession and in politics. A few years after com- 
mencing practice, he was chosen to represent the town 
in the General Court of Massachusetts ; soon after 
which he was elected a member of Congress under the 
/>ld confederation. 

Thenceforth his progress to eminence was rapid and 
sure. He soon removed to the state of New York ; and 
received continual marks of public confidence. With- 
out attempting to give an accurate and detailed account 
of the various stations he filled, it is sufficient to say 
that, after a distinguished career in Congress, he wns in 
1796 appointed minister plenipotentiary to the court of 
St. James by general Washington. 

Mr. King acted in this capacity until 1803. Although 
a change in the administration had, in the mean time, 
taken place at home, his conduct was nevertheless such 
as in a great measure to gain the approbation of both 
parties He discussed in a full and satisfactory manner 
all the questions of maritime law, in which America was 
inteiested. To the subject of impressment he paid 
particular attention, and made great progress in secur- 
ing an arrangement, which would have contributed es- 
sentially to the protection of our seamen. 

Mr. King, after his return, continued attached to the 
federal party. But although opposed to the measures 
oi Mr. Madison, yet, like Samuel Dexter, he supported 
the government during the war. 

After the restoration of peace, he received the suf- 
frages of the legislature of New York for the office of 
senator in Congress. He remained in the station until 



106 

1825, when he was a second time appointed minister to 
Great Britain. 

Having resigned this office on acccount of his de- 
clining health, he has lately returned to America, be- 
ing succeeded by Albert Gallatin. 

Jacob Perkins was born at Newburyport July 9th 
1766. His father, Matthew Perkins, was a lineal de- 
scendant of one of the first settlers of Ipswich and lived 
to the advanced age of ninety. After receiving a com- 
mon school education, he became apprentice to a gold- 
smith; and soon displayed those extraordinary inventive 
powers in mechanics, which, have elevated him to dis- 
tinction. 

At the age of twenty one, he was employed, when 
others artists had tailed, to make dies for the copper 
coinage of Massachusetts undpr the old confederation. 

At twenty four he invented the nail machine, which 
cut and headed nails at one operation. 

His mechanical genius was now fully developed ; and 
for twenty years and upwards, he continued to multiply 
useful inventions in the arts with a facility truly aston- 
ishing. His ingenuity in making a plate tor bank notes 
incapable of being counterfeited, and in discovering 
the art of softening and hardening steel at pleasure, was 
particularly useful to the public. The latter discovery 
opened a wide field for the labors of the engraver and 
led to many happy results. 

It would be endless to recount the great number of 
useful or ingenious invent ions, uhich he was constantly 
producing during the latter part of bis residence in 
in America His talents found, tor a time, a wider field 
for their display in Philadelphia, whither he removed 
from Newburyport. Alter residing there several 
years, he crossed the Atlantic, an ' i ' ow exercising 
his genius in Eogtarid, — the great th afi for the exhi- 
bition and encouragement of abilities iuie his. Besides 
many things of merely philosophical interest, which he 
has there been teaching to the teachers of ihe world, 
he has also made some signal improvements in the 
steam-engine, the great mechanical agent of modern 
times. His inventions in the aits of engraving and in 
calico-printings among other things, have been success- 



407 

fully put in operation ; — while his genius, and his 
banity of deportment and simplicity of character are 
procuring 1 hi n the admiration and esteem of the wisest 
men and greatest nobles of Britain. 

Among the many persons, who, attracted by the fame 
of Parsons in jurisprudence, came to Newburyport to 
study law under his* direction, John Qwncy Adams was 
one. He was endeared to the inhabitants at that time 
by his promising talents and social excellences in youth, 
as he has been since admired in manhood for the noble 
qualities of ripened age. On a recent occasion he spoke 
feelingly of Newburyport as 4 a town, from which long 
absence had not obliterated many of the most pleasing 
recollections of his youth associated with it .' The tem- 
porary residence of such a man here for the purposes of 
education, is too proud a circumstance in the history 
of the town to have been overlooked. 

The contemplation of the lives and characters of the 
many eminent persons, whose permanent or temporary 
residence in Newburyport reflects honor upon the town, 
should serve to stimulate and quicken a praiseworthy 
ambition in the breasts of those, who come after them. 
One thing in particular connected with this point de- 
serves attention, as equally to the credit of the individ- 
uals and of the town.. In selecting persons for public 
confidence, the citizens, on the one hand, have, in sever- 
al signal instances, manifested indifference alike to the 
age and station of the party, looking only to his absolute 
qualifications. And among the most eminent inhabitants 
of the town, it is remarkable, on the other hand, how 
large a proportion of them have been distinguished 
early in life.— .Lowell, Parsons, King. Jackson, Perkins, 
and (if we may be permitted to claim any share in his 
fame) Adams, by their industry, useful talents, devotion 
to business, and precocious manliness of character, 
obtained either professional distinction, or public hon- 
ors, or both, even in their very youth. Is it not proba- 
ble that the candor and discrimination displayed by the 
town in the illustrious cases above mentioned entitle it 
to the credit of some portion of the eminence of those 
individuals ? Had their merit been suffered to pass un- 
noticed, — had they been condemned for their youth 



10* 

aione — their subsequent rise might have been long. re- 
tarded. Nay it might, perhaps, have been prevented 
forever. Had they pined away in neglect in early life, 
who can say how different would have been their fu- 
ture fate? Besides, the mere fact of their being so soon 
the objects of public confidence gave them the benefit 
of experience and practical knowledge at a period of 
life, when hope wis high, and the pulse heat freely and 
confidently in the ardor of juvenile feelings and pur- 
posts. Thus they acquired a start in the race, an im- 
petus at the commencement of their career, of which 
they may long have enjoyed the advantage. It was the 
quaint saying of a great writer that there were some 
men, whose abilities were born with them, some men, 
who achieved abilities; and a third set, upon whom 
abilities were thrust* How fortunate are they, in 
whom, as in the individuals in question, these three 
conditions of ability meet ! For it need* hardly be 
added here, that, in after life, they continued to 
prove that the public confidence was not misplaced; — 
and their country found cause of rejoicing in their early 
advancement. May their fame be a light in the path of 
rising generations 1 

* Tomline's Life of Pitt, vol. 1, p. 2lfy 



101 



^CONCLUDING REMARKS. 



THE chief aim of the author, in this work, is narra- 
tive, and not speculation. But, in approaching the con- 
clusion of it, he craves indulgence for a few remarks 
connected with a topic most interesting to him and to 
his fellow citizens, namely, the condition and prospects 
of the town. He claims no authority for his reflections 
upon this subject ; and submits them only as the solitary 
opinions of an individual, having but limited means of 
observation. 

The rise of Newburyport to wealth and consequence 
Was extremely rapid. This elevation was not capable 
of being ascribed entirely, or for the greater part, to 
intrinsive, local, or peculiar sources of prosperity. As 
observed in a previous chapter, we had not the extra- 
ordinary advantage, which New Orleans and New York 
possess, of being the natural depot ol an immense interi- 
or country of unexampled fertility and richness. There 
were no inexhaustible coal mines wrought in the towa 
or its vicinity, as at Birmingham or Manchester, to fa* 
cilitate the establishment of manufactories. Nor had. 
we, within our narrow six hundred acres of territory, 
the waterfalls of the Patucket or the Powow, to be sub- 
jected, by human art, to the noblest objects of human 
convenience, industry, and happiness. Our peculiar lo- 
cal advantages extended but little beyond the single 
business of ship-building. 

From what, then, sprung the prosperous energies and 
the speedy increase of the town, in its best days ? — 
They arose, it is believed, mainly, from the address, en- 
terprise, and good fortune of its citizens, in seizing upon 
the propitious opportunities afforded by the situation of 
the United States. Newburyport rose with the com- 
mercial rise of the county, and with that alone Kept 

K 



11© 

«ren pace. True it is, that the town stood somewhat 
m advance, in the celerity of its progress, of the nation 
at large ; and this advancement, it is repeated, we must 
attribute to the character of its inhabitants, — which their 
staple manufacture contributed to develope. Their 
success was in maritime commerce, and in the arts sub- 
sidiary to, and dependant upon, maritime commerce 

And their skill in ship-buiUling, created by their local 
advantage for that manufacture, empowered them the 
more easily to gain the start of other places in marine 
trade. For this business had enabled them to accumu- 
late some capital. It made it easy, also, with a very 
small expense of outfit, to obtain a bottom for the trans- 
portation of goods. And by placing the means of for- 
eign commerce constantly before the eyes of the peo- 
ple, in the shape of their staple product, it naturally 
tempted them the more to adventure in maritime spec- 
ulations. 

Thus matters stood, so long as the wonderful com- 
mercial prosperity of this country lasted. During this 
period, when the neutral po-ition of America was so 
extraordinary, so unparalleled in the history of com- 
merce, our citizens pushed their advantage to the ut- 
most. The profits of commerce were immense. We 
had the carrying trade of the whole universe, almost, 
In our hands. Our proximity to the European colonies 
in America co-operated, with other things, to fill the 
horn of our abundance to overflowing. The industri- 
ous mechanic of the Merrimac found a demand for his 
manufacture : — the enterprising merchant could obtain 
his vessel on easy terms, and in a very short period she 
would earn her whole original cost. All the depart- 
ments of industry connected with the ocean were thus 
stimulated to the highest degree, and universal pros- 
perity and the easy acquisition of a competence, were 
the natural result. 

France and England soon became jealous of this our 
rapid approach to the very empire of the seas and the 
monopoly ot marine commerce. Previous to this, how* 
ever, our trade to the French isiands had begun to de- 
cline. The business was overdone by competition.— 
Their markets became drugged with our produce, as, 



11! 

indeed, they have continued to be ever since. They 
began to be more directly supplied with foreign manu- 
factures, thereby diminishing the profits of our com 
merce with Europe. And no slight injury was sustain- 
ed by our commerce, in consequence of the disorders in 
the West Indies occasioned by the French revolution. 

But the deadly blow to our commercial prosperity 
was more directly struck by the insolence and cupidity 
of the great belligerents of Europe. Without entering 
into the broad question whether the system of restric- 
tions on our commerce adopted by the government 
was or was not vindicated by the issue, thus much may 
be confidently affirmed : our government was forced in- 
to it by the injustice of foreign powers. It was a choice 
of evils. England, — France, — Holland, — Naples, — Den- 
mark, — were committing the most flagitious depreda* 
tions upon the property ol our citizens. They were 
heapng insult upon insult, and injury upon injury. — 
They wefe sweeping our ships from the ocean with 
fearful rapacity, and profligate disregard of every law, 
divine or human. This it was, which drove our gov- 
ernment into that series of restrictive measures, finally 
terminated in war. During that calamitous period, our 
seamen were thrown out of employment ; our traders 
lost their customers ; the farmers, who had looked to us 
for foreign commodities, and of whom we had pur- 
chased lumber, and provisions, left our market, — and 
our merchants were compelled to sit down idly and see 
their ships rotting in the docks.* True it is that, had 
the uncalculating enterprise of our capitalists been left to 
itself, their ships and property would have been cap- 
tured or confiscated abroad; and the millions of our for- 
eign claims would have been swelled incalculably ; but^ 
in either alternative, the loss must have been, as it was., 
deplorable. 

In the midst of all these misfortunes came the fire of 
1811, which destroyed a great amount of our property, 
and diverted too much of what remained from more 
profitable channels into the form of buildings. But a 
conflagration, destructive as it may be of property, is 

*Newburyport Herald, June 13th 1323; 



112 

not of a nature to produce any permanent injury to the 
prosperity of a town. The skill, the talents, the indus- 
try, which reared the piles, devoured by the flames, are 
capable of soon repairing the damage by a little added 
exertions. Of course, the tire could have had but par- 
tial influence, in producing the decline of Newbury- 
port. The genuine difficulty to be 'solved, the ques- 
tion really needing an answer, is, why Newburyport 
did not resume its prosperity, and continue to rise, when 
all the temporary causes of misfortune alluded to had 
ceased to operate. We shall not find the explanation of 
this point in the fire of 1811, nor in the embargo, nor in 
the war. It is to be sought further. New-York and 
Boston have grown as rapidly since the pressure of 
those restrictions on commerce was taken off, as they 
did before. But various circumstances contributed to 
retard the increase of Newburyport, as is usual m simi- 
lar cases. 

Some of these were local. Thus the bar is undoubt- 
edly some impediment to our prosperity, — because it 
confines our navigation to vessels of the smaller class ; 
and, contrary to what was customary twenty years ago, 
the present exigencies of foreign trade require the use 
of large vessels. The falls and rapids in the Merri- 
mac are also a local difficulty. They deprive us of the 
benefit of supplying with heavy goods the inhabitants of 
the interior along the river, above the actual head of 
navigation. The business of these person* is diverted, 
by means of the Middlesex canal, from Newburyport, 
its natural resort, to Boston. This disadvantage might 
be remedied, in a great degree, by the completion of 
the long talked of canal around the remaining obstruc- 
tions in the bed of the Merrimac. 

Every small sea-port competes, to great disadvantage, 
with any large one near to it. The greatest market! 
will inevitably tend to swallow up others in its vicinity 1 . 
This law of trade has undoubtedly operated to the seri- 
ous injury of Newburyport. Like other sea-ports of the 
second class in Massachusetts bay, it has withered un~ 
der the influence of Boston. There are but few excep- 
tions to this remark, and those exceptions confirm the 
lule. Thus New-Bedford and Nantucket are sustained 



113 . 

by their possession of the wfyale- fishery, Salem', alsc* 
had its advantage in the East India trade, so long as that 
continue ,1 peculiarly lucrative, But the bad effects of 
'the vicinity of Boston are constantly and seriously expe- 
rienced here, m leading the importer to make sales of 
largj cargoes,- or h^avy goods, almost universally in 
Boston ; and the retailer to resort there for his supplies. 
Within the la-t fifteen years, m.my other towns along 
the sea-coast of New England have entered into com- 
petition with this, in what formerly constituted a very 
important part of its business, namely, the exportation 
of lumber and fish, -dad the carriage of the products of 
the West Indies to a market. The competition has, 
of course, in all cases diminished the profits. And i'ort- 
land and other places La Maine can export lumber at less 
cha'rge than ourselves, and therefore to greater advan- 
tage. 

All these different causes have their influence. But 
the most efficient and comprehensive reason ol the de- 
cline of the town is, in truth, the immense alteration of 
the general condition of business during the last fifteen 
years. The whole of Europe, with the exception of 
its extreme eastern regions, is in a state of peace, Wo 
are no longer the carriers for its many nations. The 
sphere of our commercial ehterprizs is wonderfully 
narrowed. Our capital is now driven into new channels, 
and the entire circle of the relations of business and trade 
has undergone a radical revolution. Foieign commerce 
now requires a larger capital than formerly, and the 
profits on it are less, We are beginning to perceive 
and appreciate the importance of encouraging and pr De- 
tecting domestic industry^ for the mrrst substantial rea- 
sons ; and if we did not, (he impossibility of employing* 
all the resources of the country in commerce would 
force open our eyes- to see the necessity of investing a 
portion of ii in manufactures. Here, ihen, we lose our 
population, whilst ether towns :ain it Boston, for in- 
stance, by reason of the irnme lSe accumulation of wealth 
in th^ hands oi its inhabitants, becomes, by the laws of 
political econo :y,a permanent market as well lor domes= 
tjc, manufactures and proJucts. as for imported aiticle^ 
Amesbury, Lowell, Doyer, are the site of f as* maoufaoi 
kO 



114 

factories, and thither our mechanics and traders emi- 
grate, following the concentration of capital, wherever 
it takes place. Bit we, on the other hand) have neither 
natural sites tor manufactories, nor that immense accu- 
mulation of riches, which should secure to us, at present, 
the means of successful competition with any of those 
places, to which the recent revolutions in the conduct 
of business have imparted such great accession of wealth 
or population. 

If these remarks are entitled to any weight, they may 
serve to reconcile us to the dimunition of population and 
of taxable property, which a comparison of the state of 
the town in 1310 and 1820 exhibits, by showing that it 
was inevitable. No efforts of our own could have pre- 
vented it. Some injudicious kinds of trade were, it is 
true, entered upon by the citizens on the restoration of 
peace, whose unprofitableness ere long was discovered 
and caused them to be abandoned. And had the canal 
been constructed when it was originally projected, it 
' would have undoubtedly enlarged our trade, and might 
also have been used advantageously for the location of 
manufactories. But these things were not the great 
causes of the check in our prosperity. For after all, the 
present condition of the town is by no means a state of 
decline. It has not now the riches, the population, or 
the business, which it once possessed. But it is no worse 
off than many other seaports on the New- England coast 
■of the *ame general description. And its actual state is 
not so much a state of decline, as of slow and gradual, 
but sure, consolidation and advancement. We Amer- 
icans, and ^specially we New-Engianders, are an enter- 
prising, restless, impatient race. We are not content 
with living, or living well with long contin led industry, 
as in the old countries. We are ambitious to make 
large fortunes, and to make them quickly, and as it 
were exte-npore. Our national and individual energies 
have been evoked by a sort of unnatural and hot-bed 
process of developement. And while the inhabitants of 
Newburyport have, in a most remarkable m inner, at a 
former period, been thus hurried on to prosperity, they 
inn theiess easily aocommoda'e themselves to a station- 
ary condition, or one of mere simple well-being. 



115 

But the author feels admonished that these remarks 
have been pursued at sufficient length. It is more 
grateful to inquire how the town might be. enabled to 
regain its ancient standing. But there U no royal road, 
no convenient short cut, to- national wealth or public 
prosperity. If is pleasing- to reflect, as stated in a pre- 
ceding chapter, that while some occupations are in a less 
thriving state than formerly, yet others are much im- 
proved. The fisheries and the coast-wise trade of the 
town, departments of industry every way preferable, in 
respect to questions of political economy, over foreign 
commerce, have steadily gained upon the latter, in 
profitableness and in amount of tonnage. To be speedi- 
ly restored to its oid prosperity, some great revolution 
must take place, either in external affairs, or in the in- 
ternal resources of the town. Such a revolution in for- 
eign affairs is a most improbable event. Bat the crea- 
tion of. sites for manufactories in the place, or the es- 
tablishment here of any species of manufacture which 
do not require the application of water-power, would 
produce a revolution in the internal resources of New- 
buryport. Whether such a thing is practicable or not 
is too wide an inquiry to be pertinent or otherwise prop- 
er in this connexion. But the facility and usefulness of 
extending the manufacture of vessels are too prominent 
and obvious to pass unnoticed, in any consideration of 
the means of stimulating our domestic industry by ade- 
quate rewards. 

It deserves, also, to be mentioned here, that Newbu- 
ry port possesses uncommon advantages for annuitants 
and for all persons living upon small capital or upon 
fixed incomes. It unites the benefits of to.vn and coun- 
try. Its population, being considerable and compact, is 
suited for social intercourse, and for all the purposes of 
the concentration of mankind into (owns. It possesses 
the means of easy and direct communication to the sea, 
to the interior, and to the remotest pans of the United 
States, east, west, or south. It is but five hours ride 
from the capital of ,NTe.v England. Living is remarka- 
bly cheap, because being the market-town of a consid- 
erable agricultural district, and lying contiguous to the 
ocean, there is> Jiardly an article of taste or necessity 



lie 

«e j^ice H enhanced to the inhabitants by lafrd-c 
Fiage. la ad dition to this ?j the lowness of rents removes 
the greatest Ham- or expense which is incurred in Bos- 
ton, and ether towns in similar situation. So that for. 
the retired man of business, or for persons living upon 
salary, to whom ease, respectability, and economy are. 
primary objects, few places are more deserving of re- 
commendation than Newbury port. 

The moral and pious character of the inhabitant-: 
their simple and unpretending manners^ the neatness and 
salubrity of the toAm, and the excellence of school aad 
religious education within itself or in its immediate vi- 
cinity, are topics, in relation to which merited praise 
Could be bestowed upon the town. But if the author 
dwelt on them he might subject himself to the imputa- 
tion of partiality ; and he therefore abstain^. 

The true policy of communities, whether large or 
small, like the best interest of individual?, is to cultivate 
industry, economy, regularity, temperance, and the high- 
er principles of virtue, and to obey the dictates of pure 
religion. Without this policy, all advantages of locality, 
or circumstances, or fortune, and ail the accumulated 
blessings of the richest soil, the healthiest climate, and 
the most transcendant bounties of nature, are utterly un* 
availing to confer prosperity upon a nation, a state, or a 
town. And with this policy, every thing else is easy of 
accomplishment. The most sterile soil may be convert- 
ed into agarden, and the wilderness caused c to bloom as 
a rose.' Commerc \ t e arts, literature, may he made to 
pour forth their gold 1 -) streams of pienty, and comfort, 
and refinement, to enrich the land. For there is a se* 
cret of public welfare, which political economy does 
not teach. It lies at the foundation of every prosper- 
ous community, and it is capable of retrieving the most 
adverse fortunes. Tnough it be not learned in tne 
schools, the • i t e of empires and the destinies- of man- 
kind i opress it visibly upon the face, of the universe. — ■ 
It is, unwavering >be.'i?nce to tKe lessons of morality 
and piety. Be this the noble aim, hen, of all our ac» 
tioo* 

To conclude, let us repeat the words of one of the 



117 

greatest men and purest patriots, whom this or any oth 
er country has known : 

1 Kindly separated by nature and a wide ocean from 
the exterminating havoc of one quarter of the globe ; 
too high minded to endure the degradations of the oth- 
ers; possessing a chosen country, with room enough Tor 
oar descendants to the thousandth and thousandth gener- 
ation ; entertaining a due sense of our equal right to the 
use of our own faculties, to the acquisitions of our own 
industry, to honor and confidence from our fellow-citi- 
zens, resulting not from birth, but from our actions and 
their sense of them; enlightened by a benign religion, 
professed indeed and practised in various forms, yet all 
of them inculcating honesty, truth, temperance, grati- 
tude, and the love of man ; acknowledging; and adoring 
an overruling Providence, which by all its dispensations 
proves that it delights in the happiness of man here 
and his greater happiness hereafter : with all these 
blessings what more is necessary to make us a bappy 
and prosperous people V 



118 

APPENDIX. 

TOWN OFFICERS FOR 1826. 

Selectmen, Messrs. Asa W. Wildes, Samuel S. Plum- 
per, Whittingham Gilman, Green Sanborn, John Cook, ji> 

Town Clerk, John Fitz. 

Assessors, Messrs. Samuel Cutler, John bloody, Jo- 
seph Brown, jr. 

Overseers of the Poor, Messrs. Philip Johnson, jr. Ed- 
mund Bartlet, Joseph Brown, jr. Offin Boardman, John 
Moody. 

Treasurer <$> Collector, John Porter* 

School Committee, Messrs. Nathan Noyes, Ebenezer 
Shillaber, Nathaniel Bradstreet, Stephen W, Marston, 
Caleb Cushing, John Fitz, John Coffin. Henry Johnson, 
Asa W. Wildes. 

Fire-wards, Messrs. Abraham Williams, George Jenk- 
ins, Joshua Greenleaf, Moses Kent, Isaac Knap, William 
Davis, Eleazer Johnson, Zebedee Cook, William Cross, 
Edmund Bartlet, Nathaniel Marsh, Joseph Hale, Philip 
Coombs, Eliphalet Brown, Offin Boardman, Wiiliam 
Hervey, Jeremiah Brown, Pardon Brockway, John 
Chickering, Eleazer Johnson, jr. William Cook, Philip 
Johnson, jr., Nathan Follansbee, Ebenezer Bradbury, 
Isaac Knap, jr. 

Surveyors of Lumber, Messrs, John Stickney, Moody 
Pearson, Jacob Stickney, Amos Pearson, Ohadiah Mor- 
ton, John Flanders, Moses Coffin, Amos Pearson, jr t 
Tristram Coffin, jr. JohnCarr, Joshua Hill«, John Coop- 
er, Tristram Coffin, 3rd. Edward Toppan, William Her- 
vey, Zebedee Cook, John Mood), Thomas Hervey, Jer- 
emiah Brown, Jonathan Pearson, William Alexander, 
George T. Granger, Moses Somerby, Joseph Hoyt, Ab- 
ner Toppan, 

Fence Viewers, Messrs. Amos Pearson, Daniel Somer- 
by, Moses Kent. 

FishwavJeus, Messrs. Offin Boardman, John Cook, 
Robert Cross. 

Cullers of Hoops and Staves, Messrs. John Lewis, jr. 
Samuel Bradbury, William Davis, Thomas Patten, jr. 



119 

Cullers of Fish, Messrs. John Mace, Pardon Brockwaj.. 

Field Drivers, Moses Somerby, Charles Toppan. 

Hogreeves, Messrs. Daniel C. Johnson, William P. 
Lunt, William Randall. 

Tythingmen, Messrs. Edward Woodbury, Stephen Til- 
ton, William Hervey, Stephen Frothingham, Ohadiah 
Horton, Enoch Smith, Ehenezer Stone, Charles 11. 
Balch, Tristram Chase, Charles Whipple, Daniel Foster, 
Nathaniel Bayley, Ezekiel Birtlet, William Carr. 

Police Officer, Gilman White. 

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 



Samuel S. Wilde, 
James Pcince, 
Jonathan Gage, 
Ehenezer Moseley, 
Josiali Smith, 
William Bartlet, 
Moses Brown, 
Isaac Adams, 
Samuel Tenney, 
Andrew Frothingham, 
Ed wad S R*od, 
Solomon H. Currier, 
Ebenezer Shillaber, 



Oliver Prescott, 
W r illiam Woart, - 
William B. Banister, 
John Fitz, 
William Cross, 
John Pettiiigell, 
JohnGreenleaf, 
Tiiomas M. Clark, 
Asa W. Wildes, 
Stephen W. Marston, 
John Porter, 
John Cook, jr. 
Caleb Cashing, 



NOTARIES PUBLIC. 



John Fitz, 
John Porter, 
Daniel Foster, 



Samuel Tenney. 
William Woart, - 



CUSTOM HOUStk 

Collector, James Prince, 
Surveyor, William Cross. 
Naval Officer, Thomas Carter, 
Deputy Collector, Solomon H, Currier. 

POSTMASTER. 

Hoses Lord. 



120 

MEMBERS OF GENERAL COURT, 

Senate, Caleb dishing", 
Representatives, John Coffin, 
Robert Cross. 

CLERGYMEN. 



Rev. James Morss, 

Samuel P. Williams, 
Charles W. Milton, 
Josiah Houghton. 



John Andrews, D.D. 
Luther F. Dimniick, 
Daniel Dana, D. D. 



PHYSICIANS. 



Oliver Prescolt, 
Francis Vergnies, 
Jonathan G. Johnson, 
Samuel Wyman, 



Nathan Noyes. 
Nathaniel Bradstreet, 
Richard S. Spofford, 
John Bricke^t, 



LAWYERS. 



Ebenezer Moseley, 
Stephen VV. Mars ton, 
Ebenezer Shillaber, 
Robert Cross. 



Jacob Gerrish, 
Asa W. Wildes 
Caleb Cushiug, 



*» 



ERRATA. 

Page 2, line 27 for ten read twelve; p. 8, 1. 6 for 1775 reaa 1774 ; 
p. 36, I. 7. The £haitt-bridge was built under the direction of Dr John 
Templeman, formerly of iioston. I he first bridge in 1792 wag built bg 
Mr. Palmer, p. 98, 1. 7 for 1800 read 1811. 



RD 1.8 OS 



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